Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 505: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, in the context of the high road death figures in January and February 2008 which were higher than for the same months in 2007, and the fall in casualties in March that was clearly associated with two successive weekends of high levels of Garda enforcement, he will bring forward measures with the Department of Transport to increase enforcement of all road safety measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18511/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Enforcement of road traffic legislation by the Garda Síochána is continuous and is planned and carried out in response to the developing situation with road traffic at national and local level and at different times. The trend in fatal traffic collisions has been favourable over the past number of years. The number of such collisions has decreased from 396 in 2005 to 365 in 2006 (a reduction of 8%) and to 338 in 2007 (a further reduction of 7%). I am informed by the Garda authorities that, as of 12 May, there were 102 road traffic fatalities in 2008, which represents a reduction of 23 on the same period last year. While we should be cautious about drawing conclusions from developments over short periods of time, I welcome this continuation of the favourable trend, to which Garda enforcement activities have made a significant contribution. This trend however should give no grounds for complacency.

The Garda Síochána continue to focus their enforcement activities on the main causes of death and serious injury on the roads — drunk driving, speeding and the non-wearing of safety belts. The continuing increase in the strength of the Garda Traffic Corps, which will reach its planned level of 1,200 by the end of this year, is enabling a continuing increase in enforcement activity to take place. Along with the increase in its strength, a corresponding allocation of vehicles and other resources is being made to the Traffic Corps.

Mandatory alcohol testing (MAT), which was introduced by the Road Traffic Act 2006, is increasing the compliance culture among road users. By detecting incidents of drink-driving, it is reducing road traffic fatalities and deterring incidents of alcohol-impaired driving by systematically selecting drivers and assessing their level of alcohol related impairment. MAT checkpoints operate in conjunction with general enforcement of drink driving legislation.

With regard to speeding, the Garda Síochána are planning to replace their existing vehicle-based mobile speed detection systems this year. They are also planning to introduce an automated number plate recognition capability in a range of Garda vehicles, which in addition to assisting in detecting suspect and untaxed vehicles will have a speed detection capability.

In the recent past, the Garda Síochána have undertaken targeted campaigns directed at use of alcohol and drugs by drivers (December 2007), non-wearing of seatbelts (February 2008) and compliance by heavy goods vehicles (March 2008). They will undertake further such campaigns and other initiatives, including specific operations at holiday periods, in the light of what is considered necessary.