Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

One would need the stomach of a steeplechase jockey to survive on the road yet one is within one's rights to drive on it at 80 km/h. The 30 km/h and 50 km/h zones must also be reviewed. When we changed from miles to kilometres per hour we had an opportunity to look at this matter but we did not take it. We should not close our minds to the possibility of speed limits of 45 km/h and 79 km/h. This would give speed limits which are realistically enforceable and sensible. Likewise, there are roads which have an 80 km/h limit where one could not possibly drive near that speed. I accept that speed limits are a maximum but many people see them as the acceptable, almost compulsory, driving speed.

I have referred to accident black spots on the N11. Weather conditions after Christmas left many roads in a seriously diminished state. I have informed the Minister for Transport about an area of south Wicklow, north Wexford and north-east Carlow where roads have been devastated by weather damage. School buses are no longer prepared to collect children on some roads which have become totally impassable. Other roads are less damaged but have been seriously undermined by potholes and poor surfaces which cannot be seen in wet weather or in the dark. Neglect of these roads will cause accidents. I ask the Minister to send officials of his Department to examine these roads. The director of roads in Wicklow estimates that it will cost €14 million to restore roads damaged by winter weather. The annual allocation for all road works in County Wicklow is just over €9 million, which is a 32% reduction on the previous allocation. This fund was only introduced in 2009. We must invest in road repairs to make driving conditions safer. This will save money in the long run. It will also provide work. Several companies employed people in road building and this work is no longer available. Well maintained roads will prevent the deterioration of cars and make them safer. I have seen owners of brand new cars having to replace entire wheels because of damage from poor road surfaces. Under-carriages, brakes and lights are all challenged by poor road conditions.

The Medical Bureau of Road Safety surveyed 1,000 drivers who were over the legal alcohol limit and 1,000 who were under the limit. Of the 1,000 drivers under the alcohol limit, 331 had taken drugs compared with 142 of the 1,000 who were over the limit. More than twice as many of those who were under the legal blood alcohol level of 80 mg had consumed some form of drug. Some 48.7% of the drivers under the legal alcohol limit were under the age of 25 and more than 90% were male.

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