Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)

There are many inherent dangers on the roads. The number of cars has doubled in the past decade but we are still significantly behind Britain and continental Europe in terms of car ownership. With the doubling of the number of cars on the road, however, we have not doubled the level of personal responsibility. People continue to drive without exercising a duty of care to others; if anything, the level of duty is lowering. Road deaths are up 35% on this time last year. The public must slow down, stop drinking and driving and, at some stage, appreciate that the number of people losing their lives on our roads is no longer acceptable.

Drop-off points for schools receive little attention. Speaking as the father of young children, the Department of Education and Science and local authorities are not putting enough resources into correctly designed and constructed drop-off points for children at almost every school I drive past. Children must be dropped off and collected safely. The Department must realise how important this is, although it also involves the Departments of Transport and the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and local authorities. No one wants to take charge; everyone wants to leave it to someone else. Along with public and personal responsibility lies departmental responsibility. At some stage, someone must grasp the nettle and introduce a formula for a standard set-down area that can be implemented countrywide. Set-down areas are vital for the proper development of our educational facilities.

The Government and the NRA must also accept responsibility for the development of the new main arteries. I have advocated the construction of a new section of the N11. The existing section between the Arklow and Bray bypasses is the most dangerous single carriageway in the State, it has become a killing zone. Many lives have been lost there in recent years, one of the fatalities being an Oireachtas Member, Senator Michael Enright of the Labour Party. A total of 78 people have been killed on the N11 in the past decade, with 23 killed on that small 15 km section. In Transport 21, funds were allocated for these works but they have not been prioritised. The Government must step forward and instruct the NRA that there is a compelling argument in favour of the works on that section of road to bring it up to an acceptable standard, either motorway or dual carriageway. This decision will save the lives of many of the thousands of commuters from north Wexford and south Wicklow who use this dangerous road every day.

Another question we must ask is why so many young male drivers are losing their lives on our roads between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. at weekends. The statistics must be analysed to ensure the necessary measures are taken, no matter how harsh they are for young male drivers. The slaughter cannot be allowed to continue in this demographic group.

I welcome the Government's agreement to compulsory testing of individuals involved in accidents. Unfortunately, drink driving will continue as long as any ambiguity exists. We must remove this ambiguity and the only way to do so is to allow no alcohol at all. The easiest and safest way to deal with drink driving is to disallow it completely.

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