Jerry Buttimer (Cork South-Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Ar an gcéad dul síos, gabhaim buíochas le gach Teachta a ghlac páirt sa díospóireacht ar shábháilteacht ar bhóithre. Tá gach duine freagrach más tiománaithe iad ar an mbóthar.

I thank the Members of the House for their contributions on the importance of road safety and for the wonderful debate, which was very honest and sincere. Looking at this issue a number of ways, the burden of care on our roads is one we are all responsible for. We all must accept speed does kill. It is incumbent on us to reflect on the fact we have seen an increase in the number of people killed on our roads, with 18 this year which is too many. Road safety is an area in which we all want to see improvements. As we heard during the debate, we may not agree on all of the solutions and policies for doing so. Today's contributions reflect, in a constructive way, that there is sincerity about this on all sides of the House.

Road safety is a significant issue that affects everyone and every family in every community across our country. It is essential we all endeavour to enhance the safety of our road network. Deputy Farrelly made reference to the issue of the perspective of the cyclist and the pedestrian. That is where we all began. Our use of the road was predominantly as a pedestrian or cyclist and we should always keep that in mind. When a vehicle is coming at you at 60 km/h, 80 km/h or 120 km/h, or God forbid more, it is important we have that perspective.

As Members will be aware, travel plays a critical role in both social and economic activities and therefore it is vital it remains safe, irrespective of the mode of transport employed. Deputy James O'Connor referenced the tractor. We all probably started to learn to drive on a tractor as young people on our parents' or grandparents' farms. I hope we will not use that demarcation between the pedestrian, cyclist, the car and "those who pay road tax" because that serves no good in any debate.

I reiterate the Government remains committed to delivering the road transport and safety strategy with the goal of halving the number of fatalities and serious injuries on our roads by 2030. Meeting this ambitious goal will take us towards achieving vision zero by 2050. As the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, and the Minister of State, Deputy Canney, referenced in their opening remarks, the four main causes of road fatalities are speed, intoxicated driving, the non-wearing of seatbelts and distraction during road use, all of which come down to driver behaviour and personal responsibility on the part of the road user. Maybe those who make cars, SUVs, lorries, trucks and buses might look at what is in cars today, in terms of dashboards and how they can be viewed and used. Some of it can be quite off-putting to the driver and today our cars are used in a multiplicity of ways. All of these are human factors which can and should be controlled by all individuals who take a car or vehicle on the road.

Addressing these types of behaviours requires a multifaceted approach with a focus on education, enforcement, engineering and engineering investment, and legislative reform. As Members know, every fatality is a stark reminder we cannot be complacent about road safety. Every fatality is avoidable and represents a loss of life that affects the family and the wider community. As I said, 18 people - citizens of our republic - have lost their lives on the roads this year so far. In addition, if one goes to Dún Laoghaire one sees people who have felt the awful effect of serious injury on our roads. In many cases these have been life-changing and life-altering with resulting complications.

4 o’clock

It is important that we, collectively, as citizens, do our best to reduce the chance of death or serious injuries on our roads. The Government is working to address this in a variety of ways. Our road safety strategy follows international best practice. It aligns with EU targets and is based on a safe system approach. In his contribution, Deputy Ahern spoke about cyclists. It is important that we continue to look at active travel and looking after our cyclists and pedestrians.

Phase 2 of the action plan for 2025 to 2027 is in development in collaboration with key road safety stakeholders, with formal adoption anticipated shortly. In his contribution, the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, took us through the expansive legislative programme on road safety. We have done an awful lot as a country but we have a bit to travel yet. The Government is committed to commencing outstanding provisions in the 2023 and 2024 Acts and bringing them into effect as soon as possible. Equally, the programme for Government commits us to legislating for graduated penalties, speed education courses and collision data sharing. We will progress the necessary legislation to make these changes in due course. Along with bringing in new legislation, we have an opportunity in the life of this Government to consolidate the existing canon of road traffic law, which extends back to 1961, in a new legislative framework. Work has been ongoing on this project since last year. A dedicated team of experts in the road traffic legislation section is now carrying forward this important work.

As we all know, speed is one of the main causes of death and serious injury on our roads. Many Members expressed dissatisfaction at the reduction of the speed limits and many Members welcomed the introduction, as have members of the public, of safer default speed limits on rural and local roads coming into effect last Friday. The Government will continue to use the experience gained from this phase of implementing the 2023 speed limit review to inform the roll-out and timing of future phases addressing national secondary and urban roads. Personal responsibility is critical. Deputy Carthy and others referred to the speed limits on certain roads. I am very familiar with the roads that Deputy Michael Collins spoke about but I make the point that we have made many changes to that road, particularly the N71, with climbing lanes and dual carriageway safety measures. I believe that road has a proper speed limit now.

The Government has also committed to investing in road safety itself, demonstrated by the Department of Transport's hierarchy of investment priorities, articulated in the national investment framework for transport in Ireland. It ensures that foremost priority is given to maintaining existing assets in a safe condition. This emphasis on protection is also reflected in the national development plan. I agree with Deputy Fitzpatrick about the by-laws. They can be monitored and implemented locally. I will inform the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, of the concerns of Members about the issue of the speed of the driving test and waiting times for the test.

As part of the budget this year and as an interim measure as part of the broader RSA reform announced last year, €18 million has also been ring-fenced for investment this year. This will ensure that an in-year increase in late 2023 and 2024 is sustained this year, helping to deliver a targeted programme of public interest work to deliver behavioural change.

Members in the Chamber, in particular Deputies Byrne, O'Connor and Connolly, referred to young people and young members of society. The new transition year programme will continue to roll out in 2025, following a highly successful launch last year. Work is also well under way on a revamped programme for primary level children on the safe routes to school programme, which has been a huge success. I thank Deputy Byrne for his comments regarding education and his work on that. It is important that we communicate with and positively influence young people's behaviour and safe use of the road. I will be happy to bring some of the Deputies' suggestions back to the Department, because I think they will help to change behaviour and bring in good habits. They will reverse the trends we have seen in recent years.

The RSA will continue the important work of reviewing and reforming the driver test curriculum, ensuring that it is relevant and future-proofed for new drivers on our roads. We all agree that enforcement is critical. It is therefore important that we see more enforcement on our roads. I will bring the remarks in that regard back to the Minister and Department.

I know my time is nearly up, so I will conclude on this. It is important that we continue together to reduce deaths and avoid serious injuries on our roads. I hope the debate today will inform that because we must never underestimate the importance of road safety. That conversation must continue at every level, in every home, by every means possible. I thank Members for their contributions. I look forward to working with them on the important issue of road safety. I will bring the genuine remarks, concerns and suggestions of Deputies back to the Minister.

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