Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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280. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide in tabular form the number of fatalities on our roads in each year from 2008 to 2013, inclusive, and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38784/14]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The number of deaths on our roads is a major concern, particularly in the context of the increase in fatalities seen in 2013, when deaths for the year rose from 162 in 2012 to 190, marking the first increase in fatalities since 2005.  We are all aware that the main causes of road crashes are distraction, excessive and inappropriate speed, intoxication and fatigue. We are examining these areas on an on-going basis to identify measures that can be taken to address and bring about future reductions in fatalities and serious injuries.

Targeting road user behaviour through education, engineering and enforcement (known as the 3 ‘E’s) have been the cornerstones of our improved road safety record to date.

The Road Safety Strategy 2013 to 2020, launched last year, identifies 144 Actions to be implemented by key partners that will lead to a significant reduction in fatalities.

The Road Traffic Act 2014, signed into law by the President on 25 February, introduces measures which will further contribute to road safety in the years to come.  The Act provides for further Graduated Driver Licensing measures, adjustments to the penalty points system, increasing demerits for the most dangerous offences such as speeding and operating a mobile phone while driving, and new measures to combat intoxicated driving.

There are, of course, a number of other dangers on our roads that still remain to be addressed. Work is already under way on the drafting of the next Road Traffic Bill. One of the key aspects of this Bill will be to further strengthen legislation on intoxicated driving.  Other measures proposed include broadening current “alcohol” legislation to deal with all intoxicants, providing for roadside testing for drugs and placing an onus on employers to ensure employees are not under the influence of intoxicants when driving on public roads.