Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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416. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of fatal road traffic collisions each year in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023 in which the surviving driver was injured in the crash; the number of injured drivers involved, by year; the number taken to hospital; the number of these drivers that were not tested for intoxicants each year in hospital; the reason these drivers were not tested for intoxicants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41246/23]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including roads policing. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that the table below provides of the number of Fatal Road Traffic Collisions in which a driver or motorcyclist suffered a minor or serious injury.

Note that a collision can involve more than one vehicle.

Below is a yearly breakdown of the number of drivers and motorcyclists who suffered a minor or serious injury in a Fatal Road Traffic Collision.

Note that in a collision involving more than one vehicle it is possible for more than one driver to be injured.

Below is a yearly breakdown of the number of drivers and motorcyclists who suffered a minor or serious injury in a Fatal Road Traffic Collision and were subsequently taken to hospital.

Below is a yearly breakdown of the number of drivers and motorcyclists who suffered a minor or serious injury in a Fatal Road Traffic Collision, were taken to hospital and, where confirmed in the Pulse record of the collision, an intoxicant test (either for drugs or alcohol) was not carried out.

* Figures for 2023 cover the period from 01/01/2023 to 24/09/2023. All information is based upon operational data from the Pulse system as was available on 25/09/2023 and is liable to change.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that it is not possible to provide the reasons why drivers are not tested in hospital, as the PULSE system only records reasons for not testing at the scene of the accident.

I am also advised by the Garda authorities that the most common reason for not testing these drivers is that the driver was not at the scene of the collision when Gardaí arrived. Another common reason is in situations where a test cannot be administered on medical grounds.