Catherine Noone (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I commend the Minister on being highly progressive in the legislation he has presented since assuming office. This is his fifth Road Traffic Bill. Any constructive legislative measure aimed at reducing the number of lives lost on our roads is to be welcomed and applauded. This Bill is yet another step in that regard. Its provisions build on successful legislation that has led to a dramatic reduction in road fatalities in the past two decades. We cannot lose sight of this reduction despite recent statistics.

In recent years, a new culture surrounding road safety has been fostered through awareness campaigns and educational programmes under the RSA's patronage. There has been notable success, particularly in combating the prevalence and perceived acceptability of drink driving. I concur with Senator Eamonn Coghlan's statement that young people simply do not think of drink driving now. This is welcome.

The greatest challenge facing the Government and the RSA is complacency. Clearly, work must continue on reducing the threat of road accidents and the inevitable loss of life. It is disappointing that the number of fatalities increased last year. This highlights the difficulty we face in trying to continue reducing the number of road accidents and fatalities.

The Bill contains a number of welcome provisions, particularly the introduction of a new category of novice driver who will remain in this category for two years after he or she passes the test. Further welcome provisions include the lower penalty point disqualification limits for learner and novice drivers, with the limit reduced from 12 points to six. This will undoubtedly focus minds on driver behaviour, especially among male drivers in their early 20s, a category that presents a particular problem to be addressed. On a related note, many Senators have referred to texting while driving. This could be combated among younger people. Everyone texts, but they are much more into it.

The most up-to-date RSA statistics show that 26% of all road fatalities in 2013 were among people aged 25 years or under. This figure was down from 40% in 2009. While the trajectory is fortunately in the right direction, that this category represents more than one quarter of all road deaths is unacceptable.

The legislation provides for amendments to the penalty points system. It will introduce a new range of offences and provide for a reduction in the penalty points accrued for failure to display an NCT disc. This is a sensible approach. Since the NCT's introduction, the standard of vehicle has improved considerably. Most people accept that the NCT has been positive for road safety. As recently as this morning, I heard a segment on RTE Radio 1 where people expressed their woes after their NCT tests. However, no one claimed that we should get rid of the NCT or that it was unfair.

Many view penalty points as harsh, but we must educate people to view them as incentives towards better behaviour. Road safety must be everyone's primary focus when taking to the road.

The provision on taking blood from an incapacitated driver without consent is welcome. Anyone involved in an accident should be tested. That this provision is not already in place does not make sense. Under the Bill, such a sample could be taken and tested, which is an excellent idea.

Fatigue is something for which we cannot easily test. It leads to many accidents. I have seen RSA advertisements on this issue.

Fatigue is one of the contributory factors to fatalities on the road. I accept it is difficult to test for it but it is an issue that must remain a priority for us.

I concur with Senator O'Donovan that proper lighting on cars can contribute to better road safety. I understand that in Canada cars are manufactured in such a way that they do not function without their lights being on. Perhaps that is something for which we should legislate in this country. Senator O'Donovan also spoke about pedestrians. As a lawyer dealing with litigation on a regular basis, I know that there is no winner in a situation where a pedestrian is harmed or killed. In law, and almost always in terms of insurance, accidents involving pedestrians are the driver's fault. There are many reckless pedestrians who take to the road in circumstances where they are not taking care of their own safety, which is something of which we need to be mindful.

We should not lose sight of the progress made in the past two decades. It is important this is emphasised in the context of the fairly negative recent statistics. Between 1997 and 2012 there was a 65% reduction in road deaths. During the same period, the number of cars on our roads increased by 66%. Although the number of road fatalities did, unfortunately, increase in 2013, I believe this Bill will strengthen the measures required to continue the good work. I compliment the Minister on his good work and commend the Bill to the House.