Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Bill, which proposes to address the many anomalies in all aspects of the transport network. A major deficiency in the Road Traffic Act 1961 is being addressed, whereby an amendment to section 106 will correct the implicit contradiction in its provision relating to duties on occurrence of an accident. The new hit-and-run indictable offences introduced in 2014 through amendments to section 106 are provided for under a provision referring to summary offences. A further amendment in section 6 of this Bill will rectify an omission in the hit-and-run provisions that were introduced in 2014. At that time, there would have been an associated amendment to provide for a consequential disqualification for those who were convicted under those measures. This matter is being addressed by section 6(b) of the Bill, and any initiative that ensures a proportionate response and subsequent penalties is only right and fitting in the administration of justice, as the punishment should fit the crime. Given the fact that many hit-and-run incidents result in a loss of life or serious disabilities, the consequences are severe for the victims and their families. In many cases, local communities are devastated. As such, I welcome what the Minister is endeavouring to do in this regard.

The most depressing aspect of the large number of road deaths in Ireland, North and South, is that many are needless tragedies. Some could easily have been avoided. For example, if drivers on dangerous roads had exercised greater care, far fewer would have died or suffered serious injuries. A study of road crashes in Northern Ireland was published this week and entailed an analysis of police statistics in respect of 1,321 collisions in the 2013-14 period. Three trends stand out: three quarters of fatal collisions occurred on rural roads; more than three times more men than women - 106 compared with 30 - were killed; and one quarter of those who died were young men aged between 17 and 24 years. The figures are stark when compared with the low level of motorway crashes. The principal causes of road fatalities were drink driving; excessive speed; and a lack of due care and attention. All of these factors deserve further investigation in order to help secure a more effective solution to pronounced road safety problems.

In the first half of this year, the number of road fatalities in the Republic was down on last year's, but there is little cause for complacency. Yesterday, the Road Safety Authority, RSA, highlighted worrying emerging trends. For example, one third of drivers killed on our roads were not wearing seat belts and there is a 50:50 chance of dying in a collision if not wearing a seat belt, no matter how minor the collision.

Many collisions were minor in nature but because occupants were not wearing seat belts, the outcomes were much more serious. A worrying trend in road accident statistics in Ireland is the recent dramatic increase in motorcycle fatalities whereby in 2013, 2014 and to date in 2015, there were 65 deaths on the roads. A sustained national road safety campaign specifically targeting motorcyclists is absolutely necessary to alert those involved regarding the dangers of speed and the nature of the unlit secondary roads where there is a lack of public lighting, as well as on the rural secondary roads. The numbers involved in serious road accidents will continue to rise until action is taken to reverse these shocking statistics. It is imperative that motorcyclists would have the highest-quality safety protective gear and I refer particularly to helmets. Perhaps something can be done to help in the short term in the forthcoming budget with a substantial reduction in the 23% VAT rate for road safety gear. That would enable bikers to afford to pay for better equipment and better gear. This must be considered seriously and I urge the Minister himself, in conjunction with the Road Safety Authority, to take some necessary action in providing a sense of awareness. In addition, something can be done, by reducing the aforementioned VAT rate, that is very practical and which would be an incentive to get top-quality gear for these people for protective measures.

In one crash study, 73% of accidents involved riders who used no eye protection and it is likely that wind on unprotected eyes impairs vision. The use of heavy boots, a jacket and gloves is effective in reducing abrasions and lacerations, which are frequent injuries. As regards head injury, a helmet is the single critical factor in its prevention. It has been reported that helmets do not reduce traffic sounds, limit pre-crash visual field or cause fatigue or loss of attention. In an important finding, 9% of helmets came off during crashes in Europe because they were not fastened or properly fitted or because they had been damaged in a fall. In 2007, helmets saved the lives of 1,784 motorcyclists in the United States of America and, had all bikers worn helmets, 800 more lives could have been saved. In addition, the helmets are estimated to be 37% effective in preventing fatal injuries, in that for every 100 bikers killed in crashes who were not wearing helmets, 37 could have been saved.

On the question of taxi licences and the regulation amendments, I seek the addition of an addendum to these sections with regard to the existing regulations to obtain hackney licences. This specific matter came up at the meeting of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport and Communications this morning, at which a number of members highlighted the obstacles to people in rural Ireland obtaining hackney licences whereby several hoops and all types of impediments are put before people who apply for such licences. There are ridiculous criteria to meet at present, which is causing obstruction in the acquisition of such licences. I refer to people who are highly capable and well-qualified and who would be highly efficient in carrying out the job as a hackney operator to serve the local communities, in which in many cases there is a lack of transport. The Minister could intervene in such cases and I ask him to become involved in this matter to ensure these licences are provided in a way that is within reason. Jobs are being lost because of these impediments and many of these people certainly are providing a vital service in their local communities. In addition, they would have a livelihood. As jobs are involved, I ask the Minister to free up the existing anomalies in this sector.

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