Réada Cronin
Ceist:222. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Transport what measures are being taken to improve road safety in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44690/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraDáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2024
222. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Transport what measures are being taken to improve road safety in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44690/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has a dedicated Road Safety Strategy, which is aligned with the EU Vision Zero aspiration for 2050. It is being delivered in partnership by key road safety agencies, including my Department, the Department of Justice, the Road Safety Authority, the Medical Bureau of Road Safety and An Garda Síochána.
Speeding, intoxication, distraction, fatigue and the non-use of seat belts are among the most dangerous behaviours by road users. To help address these issues, the Road Traffic Act 2024 was signed into law in April. The Act seeks to bring about systemic change to dangerous driver behaviour through safer default speed limits, harsher penalties on those caught committing multiple driving offences, and mandatory drug testing at the scene of a collision.
The speed limit provisions in the Act follow from the Speed Limit Review published last September, fulfilling a Programme for Government commitment. Significant progress has been made across various levels of Government to implement the principal recommendations in terms of establishing safer default limits on much of the network, while still respecting the important devolved responsibility of local authorities to vary the limit on a given road where this is warranted. The first phase will be to change the default speed limit on rural, local roads from 80km/h to 60km/h, and consultations are currently under way across the country in this regard.
Work is also progressing on the first National Safety Camera Strategy, which will provide a framework for a significant expansion of camera-based enforcement in the coming years. An Garda Síochána has put into operation two new average speed cameras zones this month on the N3 in Cavan and on the N5 in Mayo. A further average speed camera zone and nine static cameras are expected this year, with work also progressing on the first National Safety Camera Strategy, which will provide a framework for a significant expansion of camera-based enforcement in the coming years.
In the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023, my Department introduced important new legislative provisions to underpin the Irish Motor Insurance Database (IMID). This expands the data on motor insurance policies collected in the Database and, through the appropriate data sharing mechanisms, IMID is already providing An Garda Síochána with a powerful new enforcement tool which is being used to combat uninsured driving.
In accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993, each local authority has statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of their regional and local roads. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources and are supplemented by State Road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.
In this regard, Kildare County Council is responsible for the implementation of their annual programme for road maintenance and the Department has no role in that process. However, my Department provides grant assistance to local authorities under the Regional and Local Road Grant Programme for a number of targeted programmes, including the Safety Improvement Works Grant Programme and the schemes for inclusion in the application are decided by the individual local authorities.
Under the 2024 Regional and Local Roads Grant Allocations, Kildare County Council was allocated €320,000 under the Safety Improvement Works Grant Programme for 12 schemes.