Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This question relates to road fatalities in recent years. The statutory responsibility for the collection and analysis of structured information on road traffic collisions lies with the Road Safety Authority. That analysis is published annually in the authority's facts book, Road Collision Facts. While 2012 figures are still being analysed, I understand the analysis for 2011 is being finalised and will be available shortly. In the interim, the most recently published edition of Road Collision Facts is in respect of 2010 and is available on the authority's website www.rsa.ie. This publication also provides details on collisions in previous years.

Since 2007, there has been a considerable reduction in road fatalities. In 2012, we had the lowest annual deaths on record at 162. This compared with 186 in 2011, 212 in 2010, 238 in 2009, 279 in 2008 and 338 in 2007. The figure for 2002 was 376. However, while there has been considerable progress over the past five years, we cannot be complacent. Thirty-one lives have been lost this year on the roads, an increase of 13 from the same period last year. I have discussed these recent events with the Road Safety Authority and it is too early in the year to detect any definite trends. We will continue to monitor the position closely and it is important that all road users take care.

The Road Safety Authority is finalising a new road safety strategy for the period from 2013 to 2020, which, subject to Government approval, I intend to launch formally next month. The aim of the strategy, as with all previous strategies, will be to save lives and prevent injuries by reducing the number and severity of collisions on our roads.

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