Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 May 2023
139. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if he is concerned by the high number of road fatalities to date in 2023; the measures that can be taken to prevent more tragedy on Irish roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21009/23]
View answerUnfortunately, there has been an increase in fatalities on our roads over the last 12 months over and above the pandemic period, as well as above 2019 levels. For every fatality there is a family and community severely impacted by this loss.
The current road safety framework is set out in the Government’s fifth Road Safety Strategy 2021 – 2030. The Road Safety Authority has overall responsibility for overseeing implementation of the Strategy and in so doing reports quarterly to the Ministerial Committee on Road Safety on progress. A senior officials’ group (the Road Safety Transformation Partnership Board) chaired by the Department meets quarterly to support progress on Strategy actions. Delivered in 3 phases (2021-2024, 2025-2027, and 2028-2030) the Government’s ten-year Strategy brings it into line with EU-wide strategy for Road Safety. There are 186 Actions in Phase 1 ranging from the delivery of feasibility studies, infrastructure investments and development of new legislation.
While good progress was throughout 2022, in order to urgently address the upward trend in fatalities, a number of additional measures were considered as the year progressed. Coming into force last October, these measures included the introduction of regulations to double fixed charge fines for those caught speeding, using a mobile phone, or not wearing a seatbelt, among other offences. Action 30 of the Road Safety Strategy under which these measures were introduced was reprioritised and delivered 2 years earlier than originally planned.
The first annual review of the Road Safety Strategy was held in February 2023, with the aim of setting priorities for 2023 focusing on reversing the trend in fatalities seen in 2022. Speed and the review of speed limits was particularly targeted. As a result of this review, in March a series of new priority actions for 2023 were presented to the Ministerial Committee on Road Safety by the Road Safety Transformation Partnership Board, which were endorsed.
We all have our role to play and the successful delivery of the Strategy’s road safety actions is dependent on the mutual cooperation and contributions from Government Departments, key stakeholders and road users alike.
