Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 571: To ask the Minister for Transport the position with regard to speed inhibitors on HGVs and other vehicles on roads here; and his views on the usefulness of speed inhibitors for large vehicles and for provisional licence holders. [10705/05]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 572: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on the possible use of anti-speeding technology to compel drivers to slow down in built-up areas or at dangerous locations on the roads network. [10706/05]

Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 571 and 572 together.

Directive 92/6/EEC requires speed limiters to be fitted to goods vehicles having a design gross vehicle weight exceeding 12,000 kg and passenger vehicles with more than eight passenger seats having a design gross vehicle weight exceeding 10,000 kg so that their speed may not exceed 90 and 100 km/h, respectively. This directive was transposed into Irish law by means of the Road Traffic (Construction, Equipment and Use of Vehicles) (Amendment) Regulations 1993.

Directive 2002/85/EC extends the requirement to have speed limiters fitted to include goods vehicles having a design gross vehicle weight exceeding 3,500 kg and all passenger vehicles with more than eight passenger seats. The speed limiters are required to be set so that the speed of these vehicles may not exceed 90 and 100 km/h, respectively. The directive's provisions generally apply to these vehicles that are first registered on or after 1 January 2005. I expect to be in a position to make regulations to give effect to Directive 2002/85/EC in Irish law shortly.

The regulatory framework for vehicle standards is set at European level through a harmonised system of motor vehicle type-approval. Standards for new passenger cars in the EU are specified in a range of EU type-approval directives that are incorporated into a system known as EU whole vehicle type approval, WVTA. WVTA facilitates the achievement of a single market for cars through harmonised safety and environmental standards. New cars must have WVTA in order to be placed on the market in the EU. Once a car has WVTA, it must be given access to the EU market and it is not open to a member state to unilaterally require additional equipment to be fitted in a car.

The inclusion in motor vehicles of technology of the type outlined by the Deputy in order to facilitate adherence with localised traffic speed limits is not required under the EU motor vehicle type approval system. Accordingly, it would not be open to Ireland to require the installation of such equipment in motor vehicles.

The fitting of speed limiters to large vehicles is an important measure in furthering road safety. Given that speed limiters are vehicle specific, it would neither be appropriate nor feasible to require their fitment on the basis of the type of driving licence held by an individual driver.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 573: To ask the Minister for Transport if he is considering any major new initiatives or strategies to drastically reduce the continuing appalling carnage on roads here; and if there are any combined initiatives with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in relation to this matter. [10707/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The road safety strategy 2004-06 sets a primary target of a 25% reduction in road collision fatalities by the end of 2006 over the average annual number of fatalities in the 1998-2003period. Achievement of the target will result in no more than 300 deaths per annum by the end of the period of the strategy. This is an ambitious target and one which will require a strategic, integrated approach by all of the road safety agencies.

Unfortunately, we have seen a greater number of road deaths in 2004 than the previous year with provisional end of year figures for 2004 showing 380 deaths on the roads. So far this year there have been 104 deaths on the roads as at 11 April compared to 102 for the same date last year. The recent increase in road deaths is a cause of concern. This places the challenge of meeting the target set for the end of 2006 into stark focus. If we are to realise that target, a significant reversal of the worrying trend that has been noticeable since early 2004 must be achieved.

Achievement of the target depends in the first instance on a continued emphasis on the approach that underpins the strategy. A major independent review of the previous strategy confirms that basing the primary target on the achievement of progress in the areas of speeding, drink driving and seat belt wearing remains the correct approach and these remain the key areas of the new strategy.

The strategy proposes a range of measures in the enforcement, engineering, education and legislation areas to target further reductions in deaths and injuries. An integrated strategic approach will ensure that the road safety agencies, including my Department, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Garda, work together to achieve the targets set out in the new strategy. Specific targets set in regard to speeding, drink driving and seat belt wearing are supported by the determination of associated enforcement targets.

A critical initiative that will have a significant impact on road safety is the establishment of the new Garda traffic corps. The establishment of a dedicated corps of gardaí, as announced late last year by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, under a distinct management structure within the overall force will provide for the significant enhancement of the deterrent effect that emanates from high levels of traffic law enforcement.

The operation of the penalty point system, provided for in the Road Traffic Act 2002, is dependent on the development of a new computerised processing system for the Garda Síochána. Penalty points currently apply to speeding, seat belt wearing, driving without insurance and careless driving offences. The full roll-out of the system will be operational when the IT systems being developed by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform are in place. In overall terms, the introduction of penalty points has had a positive effect on road safety and I am confident that the full roll-out of the system will further enhance that effect.