Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I acknowledge that unfortunately the number of road deaths in 2004 increased to 370 compared with 335 in 2003 when the lowest number of road deaths in 40 years was recorded. The number of fatalities resulting from road collision this year is a major cause for concern. So far this year there has been an increase in the number of road deaths to 353 as of 21 November compared with 331 for the same period last year. A total of 26 people have lost their lives on our roads in the past 14 days. This is a serious matter and the numbers are not heartening to anybody.

While it does not give any great satisfaction to the matter, in the period since 1998 mentioned by the Deputy there has been an increase of 40% in the number of road vehicles, which is an enormous increase. There is disappointment that the impact of penalty points has waned in the period since they were first introduced. However, if we did not have penalty points, the situation would be worse again. We will move to reinforce the penalty points regime by expanding it to cover more traffic offences. The important message is that on road safety it is not possible to argue with the facts. The facts show that 86% of deaths on the roads are caused by driver error with speeding the main killer. This has changed over the years from when it was drink driving, but people must show their part in it.

We now have a dedicated road safety strategy. We have introduced penalty points for speeding, not wearing seat belts, not having insurance and careless driving. This is being rolled out. As the Deputy knows, it is based on the full implementation of the technology system. Admittedly, we have had a few false starts on that. It is meant to be running by next spring.

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