Written answers

Tuesday, 17 April 2018

Department of Justice and Equality

Road Traffic Offences Data

Photo of Tommy BroughanTommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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553. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the level of serious traffic collisions and injuries in the Dublin region from 2014 to date; his views on recent reports that these serious collisions and injuries have increased over the past year in the Dublin region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15890/18]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I am deeply conscious of the serious issue of road safety and mindful of the traumatic impact of road traffic collisions on those directly affected and their families, as well as the impact of dangerous driving more generally on the quality of life of residents in local communities across the country. 

Garda national road traffic enforcement statistics indicate that a total of 42 individuals have been involved in a road traffic collision in the year to 16 April 2018; this represents 4 less collisions than that which had occurred by 16 April last year.

Last year witnessed the lowest number of annual road traffic fatalities on record (159) and it is imperative that the positive momentum across road traffic enforcement and road safety initiatives is harnessed towards further annual reductions in fatalities for the remainder of the life of the Road Safety Strategy 2013-2020. Year-on-year statistics to date indicate a continuation of the improvement recorded in 2017, with 3 fewer road traffic fatalities recorded by An Garda Síochána in the year to 16 April 2018 (a total of 46 fatalities) in comparison with the same period in 2017.

An Garda Síochána benefitted from considerable resource investment by this Government in 2017, which has contributed to the most welcome downward trend in road traffic fatalities. The recruitment of an additional 150 Gardai to Roads Policing Units this year will contribute to a stronger road traffic enforcement capability nationwide. An Garda Síochána also intend to have a stronger focus on road traffic enforcement in the training provided to new recruits at Templemore and this will have a positive impact on enforcement and, as a result, safety on our roads.

An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) continue to seek and avail of new opportunities to communicate with all road users and it is evident, from last year's figures, that many road users are heeding road safety campaigns and are increasingly aware of the importance of responsible driving behaviour.

The Road Safety Strategy sets an objective of reducing road deaths to no greater than 25 fatalities per million of population by end 2020. This equates to an average of 10.3 road deaths per month and 124 per year by end 2020.

The RSA published its mid-term evaluation of the Road Safety Strategy earlier this year. The main purpose of the mid-term evaluation is to inform the programme of work for the remainder of the life of the Strategy in order that Ireland meets its road safety targets. Among the priorities for the final years of the Strategy is the agreement of a revised target on serious injuries resulting from road traffic collisions. A provisional target of a 30% reduction was set at the start of the life of the Strategy, however the Strategy made a provision for Ireland to review the target , in line with the new reporting requirements set out by the European Commission to produce serious injury figures using a medical definition.

The Deputy will be aware that Ireland has, over a number of years, developed a multi-agency approach to road safety through the involvement of a number of agencies working in partnership, under the aegis of the Strategy. Progress in relation to the actions and outcomes set out in the Strategy are monitored on an ongoing basis by the RSA and the other agencies involved, and overseen by a Ministerial Committee on Road Safety. This Committee is scheduled to meet next on 2 May 2018.  

An Garda Síochána’s Modernisation and Renewal Programme (2016-2021) sets out key strategic objectives for Road Policing which will inform and guide An Garda Síochána's Road Policing plans over the lifetime of the Programme. Under the Programme, the Commissioner will undertake a number of road safety traffic enforcement initiatives, including expanding the use of technology and increasing checkpoints.

This Government’s commitment to continue the ongoing accelerated Garda recruitment programme and continued investment in fleet and Garda ICT infrastructure will support the road traffic enforcement function performed by An Garda Síochána - this is a core Garda function and this Government is committed to further supporting An Garda Síochána in this regard.

My Department has sought the information requested by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána and I will contact the Deputy directly on receipt of a Garda report.

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