Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

Systems can be introduced to prevent this. For example, cars might be modified to make beeping noises if eye movement, as an indicator of fatigue, was detected. Perhaps the Minister, in his EU Presidency role as head of the European Council of Transport Ministers, could consider this area.

A fascinating recent American television programme, "Eye on America", showed that television monitors are now being inserted in cars there; one person interviewed on the programme had 17 monitors in his car. The monitors are usually inserted in the back of head rests and are now being blamed for causing numerous car crashes. Unfortunately, what happens in America today will soon happen here. I understand some companies are already advertising car television screens, which would be located primarily in back seats for children on long journeys. Is the Minister aware of this and has he plans to legislate for it before it becomes a serious problem?

There has been no advance in regard to drug testing. While we complain about drink driving, the fact that much of our population takes drugs is ignored. On his last visit to the House, the Minister indicated I had a valid point regarding this crucial area. However, he should clarify whether he plans to bring forward measures to deal with it. The Minister should put the onus on the National Safety Council to place advertisements to remind drivers that drugs affect their ability to drive.

The city of Melbourne in Australia halved its level of road deaths in a three year period. However, the level of road deaths in Ireland has reduced by just 20% and we should not congratulate ourselves too much on our achievements. The Government should impress on the National Safety Council the need to alter its current publicity strategy of spending significant resources on television advertisements. These have limited impact as we see similar scenes so often on television that we become immune. A high proportion of car crashes occur on certain nights and at certain times, with Sunday night to Monday morning being a particularly bad period, as is the 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. period on other nights. There should be constant radio advertisements between these key hours to remind people to slow down, put on their seat belts and, if they have been drinking, not to drive. Unfortunately, while television advertisements are helpful in some respects, they do not have the same impact when one is sitting at home. It would be more effective in reducing road deaths if one heard a reminder while driving one's car.