Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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274.To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport for an update on progress made on the work plan for 2024 by his Department, in conjunction with other agencies and Departments, to improve road safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33447/24]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The Government’s Road Safety Strategy 2021–2030, which was published in December 2021, is currently in Phase 1, which runs to the end of 2024, with close to 200 actions underway or already completed across a range of Government bodies. Stakeholders across the sector are working hard to reverse the current increase in fatalities and restore Ireland’s long-term progress in the area of road safety.

Since the beginning of April, this has included all uniformed members of An Garda Síochána carrying out 30 minutes of high-visibility roads policing per shift and significantly increased spending on public awareness and communications by the Road Safety Authority.

In relation to the Department, the Road Traffic Act 2024 was signed into law on 17 April. This is a piece of priority legislation brought forward by the Department in response to the rising road fatalities and serious injuries. The Act seeks to bring about systemic change to dangerous driver behaviour through safer default speed limits, harsher penalties on those caught committing multiple driving offences, and mandatory drug testing at the scene of a collision. The Act also enabled the introduction of escooter regulations which are now subject to a legal framework and restrictions on their use, operation and capacity.

On 31 May 2024, provisions introducing mandatory drug testing at the scene of a serious collision and giving members of An Garda Síochána an explicit power to detain someone at the roadside while awaiting the results of an intoxicant test came into effect.

A number of high-impact actions have also been prioritised for delivery in the second half of 2024, including the rollout of three new average speed camera zones, development of a national safety camera strategy, commencement of safer default speed limits on rural, local roads, and tackling the multiple learner permit issue.

Work has also commenced on reviewing the driver curriculum, and funding has been allocated to media, education and awareness campaigns. This week, the RSA will officially launch a major new TV ad campaign that addresses the rising number of fatalities on Irish roads. This follows the launch on Thursday 11 July of a new campaign aimed at raising awareness of dangerous behaviours on Irish roads. This audio campaign tackles five dangerous behaviours – speeding, drink driving, distracted driving, not wearing seatbelts and drug driving. The adverts have been developed using feedback from in-depth research and focus groups which took place earlier this year.

Along with all the above, I am currently examining alternative and complementary strategies in this area. Amongst items under consideration are a graduated approach to penalty points with more severe points being attracted by significant infringements, along with the possibility of compulsory re-education, driver awareness, courses for repeat offenders.

In addition to closing out Phase 1 of the strategy in 2024, the Phase 2 Action plan is under development, which will target impactful actions under the safe system approach for the period 2025 - 2027. In order to ensure road user advocates have the opportunity to contribute to the Phase 2 Action Plan, my Department together with the Road Safety Authority are in the process of establishing a new Road User Safety Forum, comprising road users and road safety advocates.

Road safety is a foremost priority for me and this Government. Everyone is entitled to use our roads and, importantly, to be safe on our roads.