Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

Over the winter, the Minister, with the Minister for Education and Science, should put in place a targeted road safety education campaign in our schools. As the mornings get darker, I notice youngsters walking or cycling to school without wearing armbands or high visibility jackets. It is an accident waiting to happen. A directive should be sent to the gardaí associated with school liaison so they redouble their efforts as winter approaches to ensure children are properly prepared for the roads.

There should be a major road safety campaign in every school. There are times when road safety becomes a major issue and campaigns are introduced but these wane after a time. Such campaigns need to be continuously reinforced and reviewed as to their effectiveness. In any case, a directive should issue that armbands, which children no longer wear, and high visibility jackets should be worn.

While it is good to see people, particularly women, taking exercise on our roads, at this time of year they should be advised to wear high visibility jackets, which is not happening at present. It is not so serious an issue when people are walking on footpaths in towns but walking in the country can be highly dangerous, particularly on winding roads or roads with overgrown hedgerows and so on.

Reference was made to the role of local authorities. Poor road signage and markings, the failure to indicate dangerous humpback bridges and bad bends, and excessive speed are factors that contribute to accidents. Clear directives should be sent to local authorities that they should pay particular attention to road markings across county areas. This is a simple matter which should be addressed.

There should be much more co-operation between local authorities, the Garda and other agencies. The term "joined-up thinking" is very much in vogue. There is no reason local authorities should not take a lead role on road safety issues, with the Garda, the education authorities and even the health authorities to ensure there is joined-up thinking in this regard.

Speed cameras were to have been rolled out this year. I understand the contract negotiations are now with two particular parties. I am certain that when cameras are placed throughout the country and moved from location to location, drivers will slow down and by doing so reduce the number of fatalities on our roads. No matter how unpopular their introduction is at the time, it is vital these cameras are put in place as soon as possible and that there are no further delays.

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