Kate Walsh (Progressive Democrats)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Seán Power, to the House. I appreciate this opportunity to speak on this tragic issue. I last spoke on road safety here on 27 April. Since that day, 242 more lives have been lost on our roads. I said on that occasion that I have a problem with statistics because they disguise the pain and distress families and friends suffer as a result of tragic loss. I referred in April to there being 118 tragic losses and of the sorrow for the families of those who lost their lives to that date, but another 242 lives have been lost. That is a shocking waste of life and many of those killed were young. Commitment and investment by the Government must be matched with real action and improvements because that means lives will be saved.

In April, I focused on three specific points, namely, the use of headlights during day-time driving, the cleanliness of headlights and number plates and pedestrian safety. These issues are even more important at this time of the year when visibility is reduced, weather conditions are worsened and many people make extra road journeys. On the first point I mentioned, studies reveal that leaving dipped headlights switched on during daylight, regardless of the weather conditions, reduces the risk of crashes. This is especially true when cars overtake and cross to the other side of the road.

Legislation in many countries forces drivers to drive with their lights on all day. In Canada, this has been the case for 16 years. The authorities there estimate that the practice of using headlights during daylight hour have saved 120 lives each year. I also highlighted the cases of Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. I repeat my call that we consider the introduction of some similar measure in Ireland, particularly for heavy goods vehicles. We have vast numbers of HGVs on our roads, transporting goods in what is, thankfully, our prosperous economy. If large trucks and lorries used their dipped headlights during the daylight, accidents would be avoided and lives saved.

As I stated previously, the practice would have an added benefit in that as darkness falls in the evening, we would not rely on individual drivers to switch on their lights. How many times have motorists approached oncoming cars at dusk with their lights switched off? I have driven by them and flashed my lights at them. It puts the heart crossways in me when I meet a grey or dark car with the lights switched off. It is particularly prevalent in lit up areas and these motorists seem to think that they can rely on street lights. It is dreadful. A child or a person out jogging crossing the road in the path of such an unlit vehicle could be knocked down. Dark coloured cars with the lights switched off travelling on a dark evening are a hazard to their occupants and other motorists.

It is crucial that drivers of vehicles, in particular HGVs, keep their headlights, indicators and number plates clean and visible. The Minister of State has previously appealed to drivers and owners of heavy good vehicles regarding safety mirrors, for which I commend him. Similar campaigns should be applied with regard to lights and visibility. Drivers must be compelled to keep their vehicles in the safest possible condition.

Bus drivers have a specific responsibility as they hold the safety of passengers in their hands. Fading light and poor weather contrive to make driving vehicles such as buses more hazardous in winter months. The driver is responsible for safety. Before he or she turns the key, he or she must confirm that the lights are clean and their number plates are visible. I have frequently driven behind buses with faulty, broken or filthy lights; a situation which is unsafe.

Vehicles must be in proper condition and headlights are extremely important. Sometimes, a car only carries side bulbs and lacks any headlights. Drivers facing such a car do not know whether they are meeting a wide vehicle or a motorcycle. Studies show that dirty headlights can reduce a driver's night vision by between 50% and 90%, which can be the difference between having an accident or not. I have called for all regulations relevant to this area to be reviewed and would be grateful if the Minister of State could inform me as to whether this has been done or is being considered. We must work towards reducing the risk of accidents on Irish roads.

A total of 56 pedestrians have been killed on our roads this year. Drivers must be aware of the dangers traffic poses to people walking on footpaths, and in many areas, on roads. Pedestrians who walk on our roads, particularly at night, also have responsibilities. More than two-thirds of fatal pedestrian accidents happen during the hours of darkness. Pedestrians may be able to hear oncoming traffic and see their lights but drivers may not see them and certainly will not hear them.

Consideration should be given to making it compulsory for pedestrians walking on roads at night to wear reflective armbands or Sam Browne belts. How many lives would have been saved if the pedestrian in question could have been seen from a safer distance? These three specific points are important to any debate on road safety. I appreciate the opportunity given to me to make them and I support the Government's effort to make Irish roads safer for all.