Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 652: To ask the Minister for Transport the measures taken by his Department since 2002 to reduce the level of road deaths; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14306/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Since 2002 my Department has invested in new, improved and safer roads. The metrication of speed limits was provided for in the Road Traffic Act 2004 and was introduced in January 2005. The Penalty Points system was extended with effect from 3rd April 2006 featuring 35 separate offences with mobile phones added from September and fixed charges now apply to almost 60 offences.

A dedicated Garda Traffic Corps was established. The current strength stands at over 800, with an additional 400 members to be allocated by the end of 2008. Following the introduction of legislation to enable Mandatory Alcohol Testing (MAT), we are beginning to see the results of 30,000 MAT checkpoints monthly and increased levels of enforcement. The new Road Safety Authority (RSA) was vested in September 2006. A new revised Rules of the Road was published by the RSA and launched by me on 21 March 2007. A Ministerial Road Safety Committee meets on a regular basis to progress cross cutting road safety issues.

Measures have been introduced to reduce driving test waiting times, a critical contribution to road safety and improved driver behaviour. 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 Safety Authority (RSA) is responsible for developing a new Road Safety Strategy for the period 2007-2011. They went out to public consultation in October last year and I understand they have received a substantial number of suggestions and proposals as a result of this process. The RSA also engaged in a process of direct consultation with key stakeholders in December 2006. The volume of submissions received from these processes are being considered by the Authority prior to the finalisation of the new Strategy. When I receive the new Road Safety Strategy I will be submitting it to Government for approval as soon as possible thereafter.