Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 486: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action he has taken on foot of the recent spike in the number of road deaths, specifically the tragic loss of five foreign nationals in Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9547/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

All Government Departments and agencies which are responsible for dealing with road safety related issues are extremely aware of the urgent necessity of bringing about a steady reduction in the numbers killed and seriously injured on our roads. Government policy in this area is set out in the Government's document, Road Safety Strategy 2004-2006. The strategy sets out an ambitious range of targets and actions and measures to be achieved. These cover a broad range of measures in road traffic legislation and law enforcement, road engineering, road safety awareness and education, community and local road safety work, ensuring safer vehicles and a road safety research programme. Work is under way on many initiatives in these areas, including the extension of the penalty points system, the expansion of the Garda traffic corps, the outsourcing of the provision and operation of speed cameras under the superintendence of the Garda Síochána, the establishment of the Road Safety Authority and the strengthening of legislative provisions. An important element of the strategy is the detection of speeding, drink driving and other offences and the sanctioning of drivers for these offences.

In response to the disturbing number of road fatalities in Buncrana district a Garda traffic corps unit was established in the district on a pilot basis with effect from 20 October 2005. The unit was in addition to the traffic corps personnel already operating in the Donegal division. An evaluation of this pilot has been concluded and it has been decided that a dedicated traffic corp unit with increased personnel will be based in the Inishowen area. This unit will comprise one sergeant and eight gardaí.

A number of other initiatives have also taken place in the Donegal division. These include targeted co-ordinated patrolling of priority roads and junctions at prime times, high-visibility checkpoints, which have resulted in a 25% increase in the detection of drivers under the influence of an intoxicant in 2006 to date, and reconstitution of the Donegal road safety working group comprising representatives of the Garda Síochána, Donegal County Council, the Health Service Executive and the National Roads Authority.

Proposals have been made by the Garda Síochána to Donegal County Council in response to the fatal collision at Lisfannon on 18 February. Targeted education is an integral part of road traffic policing and in this regard a number of initiatives have been undertaken, including a local media campaign on traffic safety issues, a road safety programme in all primary and secondary schools in the Inishowen area, a driver improvement course in conjunction with the courts and ongoing liaison with driving instructors and the Institute of Advanced Motorists, IAM. The Garda Síochána is, in co-operation with Inishowen Rural Development Limited, assessing the training needs of drivers in the area.