Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In response to Senator Doherty's point on the trend in recent years, she is correct that during some of that period there was reduced activity on roads. However, we saw ongoing persistence of some of the lifesaver offences in that speed was still a central factor. We know that the trend during Covid and even after continued in terms of the incidence of intoxicated driving. The consumption of alcohol and drugs is still a significant factor. That trend is continuing again this year.

Distracted driving is a serious issue. Research by the RSA has analysed driver behaviour post the pandemic, which seems to have deteriorated. It is being researched to try to provide a helping space in that regard. We know that seat belts play a central role. The trends are observed over a number of years. The four dangerous behaviours I have mentioned are central factors in the ongoing increase in fatalities.

There are a number of factors involved in why it has worsened. I mentioned that research is being done on driver behaviour. In every public statement I have made, I have referred to strengthening enforcement. We must match progress on legislative reform in parallel with improved enforcement. We have engaged on that with the Garda Commissioner and the Minister for Justice. There must be a perception of detection among the public for the overall paradigm of offences to be workable. That is an ongoing focus for me as I chair the road safety committee.

Senator Doherty is correct that in the immediate term, notwithstanding what we are discussing today, the two central areas that we are focusing on, apart from the legislation, is how we can strengthen enforcement. The 20% increase in the number of GoSafe vans will help with speed detection. The ongoing improvement in An Garda Síochána and strengthening roads policing units will be important. In parallel to that, the education campaigns from the RSA play an important role as well to address and break the current trend. They are central areas of focus in addition to examining the evidence and trying to reset the speed limits, for example. We have a lot of inconsistency and fragmentation with speed limits across the country. We are trying to provide a much more comprehensive and safer baseline on speed limits, which will save an awful lot of lives. It will save the lives of vulnerable road users like cyclists, who, as Senator Doherty mentioned, are often killed by vehicles being driven at excessive speed or by people driving recklessly and not paying attention.