Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 93: To ask the Minister for Transport if the target of a reduction of 25% in the number of fatalities on roads will be achieved by the end of the lifetime of the road safety strategy in 2006; the additional measures he has enacted since the commencement of the strategy to cut road deaths; if he has satisfied himself that such initiatives are working; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28844/05]

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 98: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has satisfied himself with the progress to date in implementing the Road Safety Strategy 2004-2006; and his views on the comments by the chairman of the National Safety Council that there is a lack of political will to fully implement the strategy. [29053/05]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 121: To ask the Minister for Transport if, in view of the ongoing scale and seriousness of road accidents, he will take new steps to address this problem; the timetable for such proposals and the agencies to be involved therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29492/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 93, 98 and 121 together.

The Government Road Safety Strategy 2004-2006 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 1998-2003 period. Achievement of the target would 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 the continued commitment to a strategic, integrated approach by all of the road safety agencies.

Unfortunately, we have seen a greater number of road deaths in 2004 than in the previous year when we experienced the lowest number of road deaths in 40 years at 335. The provisional end of year figures for 2004 shows 374 deaths on the roads. This is, however, the second lowest annual road fatality total since 1998, which was the first year for the operation of the first road safety strategy.

So far this year we have seen an increase in the number of road deaths, with 312 deaths on the roads as at 17 October compared to 298 for the same date last year. The recent increase in road deaths is a cause of concern and 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 both in early 2004 and over the past number of weeks 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 was developed by the high level group on road safety which is chaired by my Department and comprises representatives of the Departments of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Health and Children, the Garda, the National Roads Authority, the National Safety Council, the Medical Bureau of Road Safety, the County and City Managers Association and the Irish Insurance Federation. The agencies and Departments represented on the high level group on road safety are responsible for implementing specific measures in the strategy which are within the remit of each organisation.

Significant initiatives identified in the strategy that have been realised to date include the introduction of a new system of metric speed limits through the passage of the Road Traffic Act 2004 and the establishment of the new Garda traffic corps. The new speed limits structure featured a reduction in the speed limit in all rural, regional and local roads from 60 miles per hours to 80 kilometers per hour, which equates to 50 miles per hour. The establishment of the dedicated traffic corps last year by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform under a distinct management structure under the command of an assistant commissioner addresses a particular commitment given by the Government. The corps, when it is fully staffed, will provide the basis for the achievement of the significant gains in road safety that emanate from consistent high levels of traffic law enforcement.

Other major proposals identified in the strategy, such as the plans to establish a system of private sector operation of speed cameras under the auspices of the Garda and the further extension of the operation of the penalty points and fixed charge systems, are being advanced and the question of the introduction of a more general basis for the carrying out of preliminary roadside alcohol testing of drivers is being considered. We are making progress across the wide range of initiatives identified in the strategy and I am satisfied that all of the agencies involved are fully committed to the achievement of the goals that underpin the strategy.