Written answers

Tuesday, 17 October 2006

7:00 pm

Photo of Seán CroweSeán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 435: To ask the Minister for Transport the aspects of the National Road Safety Strategy that he has satisfied himself that the progress has been made on; the aspects which need improvement; and his proposals to improve on such aspects. [32620/06]

Photo of Martin CullenMartin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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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 was always an ambitious target and one that required the continued commitment to a strategic, integrated approach by all of the road safety agencies.

A major independent review of the previous strategy confirmed that basing the primary target on the achievement of progress in the areas of speeding, drink driving and seat belt wearing remained the correct approach and these remain the key areas central to the implementation of the Strategy.

Significant initiatives identified in the Strategy that have been realised to date include the introduction of a new system of metric speed limits, the further extension of the operation of the penalty points and fixed charge systems from April 2006, and the establishment of the Garda Traffic Corps. The Corps, provides 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, such as the plans to establish a system of private sector operation of speed cameras under the auspices of the Gardaí, are well advanced.

The Road Traffic Act 2006 has been enacted and a number of key measures commenced. These include the provision to combat drink driving through enabling roadside Mandatory Alcohol Testing (MAT) and a ban on the use of hand-held mobile phones while driving. Since the commencement of MAT checkpoints by the Garda the number of road deaths and collisions have fallen. The number of deaths in August 2006 was 17, the lowest number for any month since November 1999 comparing to 24 in August 2005 and 35 in 2004. This downward trend has continued into September 2006 with 22 deaths as compared to 31 for September 2005. We are making progress across the wide range of initiatives identified in the current Strategy, which is now coming to an end, and I am satisfied that all of the agencies involved are fully committed to the achievement of the goals that underpin the Strategy.

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