Written answers

Wednesday, 19 October 2005

9:00 pm

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 149: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on the fact that Ireland ranks seventh in the EU-15 on the basis of road deaths per 100,000 of population; his views on the fact that Ireland is the only country in the European Union where road deaths are steadily increasing; the efforts his Department and others with responsibility for road safety are making to reduce the number of deaths on roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29484/05]

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

Comparisons with the best performing countries in the European Union can be made by examining the number of road deaths per 100,000 population for 2002, the most recent year for which comparisons are available. The road fatality rate in Ireland in 2002 was 9.6 per 100,000 population, which placed Ireland in seventh place among the then 15 member states of the European Union. The best performing countries were the United Kingdom, Sweden and the Netherlands. The fatality rates in the United Kingdom, Sweden, and the Netherlands were 6.1, 6.0 and 6.1 fatalities per 100,000 population, respectively.

A recent press release issued by the ECMT showed the increase in fatalities in 2004 on 2003 in European and OECD countries. Ireland experienced a 13.1% increase during that period, which was the highest increase amongst western European countries. It should be noted, however, that 2003 saw the lowest number of road deaths in 40 years in Ireland.

The new Road Safety Strategy 2004-2006 outlines a range of issues that it is intended will be pursued over that period. In overall terms, measures will continue to focus on the areas of education, enforcement, engineering and legislation and will target the key areas of speeding, driving while intoxicated and seat belt wearing.

The primary target of the new Government strategy on road safety is to realise a 25% reduction in road collision fatalities by the end of 2006 over the average annual number of fatalities in the period 1998 to 2003. Achievement of the target will result in no more than 300 deaths per annum by the end of the period of the strategy. My Department, the other Departments and agencies involved in the pursuit of road safety policies will continue to positively promote initiatives aimed at meeting that demanding target.

The overall aim of our road safety policy is to bring our record more into line with experience in the better performing states in the European Union. Meeting the target established in the road safety strategy will also assist in the achievement of the longer-term EU target of a 50% reduction in road deaths across the Union by 2010.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.