Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This morning I attended a meeting of the transport committee at which we heard presentations from representatives of the Garda and the Road Safety Authority regarding drunk driving convictions. The figures that were published in the media in the past few weeks were distorted and have been proven to be inaccurate. The figure given in the media was 40%, which compared very unfavourably with the UK rate. However, it was clarified this morning that these figures were based on summonses rather than convictions and that, in fact, Ireland has a very high conviction rate for drunk driving at over 85%. The message is loud and clear - if one drinks, one does not drive.

Another statistic emerged this morning from the Road Safety Authority. Please God and fingers crossed we will end this year with no more road deaths. The figures indicate that this year we will have the best road safety record for decades if the current trend continues. The figures for the period up to this week indicate that 30 fewer people have died than in the comparable period last year, which is, thank God, a great statistic. Every life lost is an unnecessary loss. The statistics show, however, that 65 people died as a result of not wearing seat belts. That is astonishing. Imagine, in this day and age, that 65 people - both drivers and passengers - died on our roads because they were not wearing seat belts. What madness is that? Will the Leader ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to embark immediately on a nationwide media campaign to inform people not only of their legal obligation but also of the folly of not wearing a seat belt? Such a campaign should highlight, as graphically as possible, the consequences of not wearing a seat belt, regardless of whether one is a driver or a passenger.