Paddy Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Road Safety Authority is responsible for compiling official statistics on road traffic accidents. It receives collision data from An Garda Síochána and produces official statistics to help to develop evidence-based road safety interventions. The statistics it produces in respect of accidents detail the time the accident occurred, the day of the week on which it occurred, the age group and gender of those involved in the accident and whether they were drivers, passengers, pedestrians, motorcyclists or cyclists. The problem is there are no statistics in respect of whether the driver was drunk or on drugs. Other matters not recorded are the type of driving licence or experience of the driver, the age and roadworthiness of the car, weather conditions at the time of the accident, the speed limit, the type of road, including information on bends, road surface, etc. Statistics on the possible cause of the accident, whether the driver was on the phone, or any medication being taken by the driver due to age or illness or for any other reason are not being collated. The Government is reducing speed limits throughout the country in order to prevent deaths and we all agree with that. It is doing so, however, without having the statistical information. The Road Safety Authority does not have a statistical officer. It should have a statistical officer and produce those statistics before we, as Members of Parliament, reach an informed view in respect of reducing speed limits, the reason for reducing them and whether they should be reduced in certain areas. I ask the Deputy Leader to investigate this issue. The Road Safety Authority is one of the few Government agencies that does not employ a full-time statistician. The Government should consider that and the Road Safety Authority should employ a statistician to collate information on all the things that happen when an accident occurs. All Members totally agree with a reduction in speed limits if it will save lives, but we are making decisions without having full facts and information on the matter.