William Aird (Laois, Fine Gael)
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220. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress made to date on implementing the Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030, with particular reference to reducing fatalities and serious injuries on rural roads; the level of resources allocated to Garda enforcement and local road safety improvements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62633/25]

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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The current national framework for road safety is set out in the Government’s fifth Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030. This Strategy was launched in December 2021 and follows international best practice, aligns with EU and UN targets, and is based on the Safe Systems approach. The Strategy has the target of reducing road deaths and serious injuries by 50% this decade, and to achieving Vision Zero—as close as possible to no deaths or serious injuries on Irish roads—by 2050.

Phase 1 of the Road Safety Strategy ran until the end of 2024, with approximately 169 concrete actions complete or on track at its conclusion, out of a total of 190 actions. A key achievement of Phase 1 of the Road Safety Strategy was the publication of the Speed Limit Review and subsequent work on implementation. The Speed Limit Review was published in September 2023 and allows for changes to be made, where necessary, to speed limits to improve safety on the road network. The reduced default speed limit for local/rural roads from 80km/h to 60km/h came into effect on 7 February 2025. Work on implementing Phase 2 of the review in relation to the introduction of 30km/h speed limits in urban/built up areas is now underway. Other key road safety actions delivered during Phase 1 of the strategy include -

• The sharing of insurance data with AGS;
• The introduction of mandatory drug testing at the scene of serious collisions in the same way as testing for alcohol; and
• The roll out of additional safety cameras with work currently underway on the development of a National Safety Camera Strategy.

• Investing significantly into new and improved active travel and public transport;
• Expanding network safety analysis of the road network to identify high-risk locations, guide investment decisions and prioritise safety interventions including for the local road network;
• Implementing in full all actions in the Phase 2 Action Plan based, based on the 2023 Speed limit review; and
• Reviewing and overhauling our learning to drive curriculum.