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

Road fatalities this year are similar in number to the same period in 2013. I am concerned, in particular, that the number of vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists is very high compared to previous years. The Garda and the Road Safety Authority continue to examine the causes of the collisions that result in deaths and serious injuries on our roads so that greater focus can be applied to any significant trends emerging.

In 2013, I launched the Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020 which identifies a total of 144 actions to be implemented by key stakeholders within the timeframes set. Implementation of these actions will lead to a further significant reduction in fatalities and serious injuries on our roads. I hold regular meetings of all the State bodies involved in implementing the actions to ensure that proposals are proceeding as planned.

The Road Traffic Act 2014, signed into law on 25 February 2014, provides for adjustment of penalty points for certain offences, introduces a concept of novice driver, assists the Garda in determining the presence of intoxicants in drivers through an impairment testing system and provides for the testing for intoxicants of drivers left incapacitated by a road collision. The provisions of the Act will assist in making our roads safer.

Work is under way on preparation of a new Road Traffic Bill, which will address a variety of further issues, including ones identified in the road safety strategy, to improve road safety. One of the key aspects of the Bill will be the enabling legislation for the introduction of roadside testing for drugs.

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