Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 471: To ask the Minister for Transport the strategy in place to respond to the growing number of pedestrians who are involved in road traffic accidents in view of the fact that four in every ten fatalities are pedestrians; if he will ask for a review of the circumstances of such accidents for the purpose of identifying measures to improve pedestrian safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5218/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Measures pursued as part of the last Road Safety Strategy relating to traffic calming and the introduction of a lower speed limit in residential areas were targeted at improving pedestrian safety. These measures continue to be pursued.

In addition, Directive 2003/102/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 November 2003 was transposed into domestic legislation with effect from 28 May 2004. The Directive relates to the protection of pedestrians and other vulnerable road users. The aim of the Directive is to reduce deaths and injuries to pedestrians and cyclists by motor vehicles through changes in the design of the fronts (i.e. bumper, bonnet and windscreen) of vehicles.

Directive 2005/66/EC of the European Parliament and the Council setting type approval standards in respect of frontal protection systems e.g. bull-bars, fitted to passenger cars and vans up to 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight, was adopted on 26 October 2005. The Directive in relation to passenger cars was transposed into Irish Law on 11 April 2006.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA), who has taken over responsibility for road safety advertising and education from the National Safety Council, continues to run advertising campaigns specifically targeted at pedestrians.

The Authority is also responsible for the preparation and submission to me for my approval of the next Road Safety Strategy, which will commence in 2007. The RSA went out to public consultation in October 2006 and received a substantial number of suggestions and proposals as a result of this process. As part of the process, the Authority also engaged directly with the relevant stakeholders in developing proposals for inclusion in the new Strategy. It is expected that the new Strategy will be finalised and presented to me for approval very shortly.