Road safety targets missed, legislative delays

KEY TARGET dates for the implementation of a wide range of road safety measures relating to alcohol and drug abuse, legislation, enforcement and education have been missed, it has emerged.

The delays in implementing measures in the Road Safety Strategy 2007-2012 have been mirrored by delays in wider Government and local authority initiatives designed to reduce the number of fatalities and injuries on the State’s roads.

News of the delays emerged as the number of road deaths, which had been falling, rose this week to within two fatalities of last year’s total of 101, for the period from January to May 12th.

Among the measures it was initially hoped would be in place by mid-2008 was mandatory drug and alcohol testing of all drivers involved in collisions.

In addition, Garda Traffic Corps numbers were to have risen to 1,200 and their deployment in all divisions “with all necessary equipment, technology and support” was to have taken place by the end of last year.

Apart from enforcement, legislative measures are also delayed. This week the Dept of Transport said provision for mandatory testing of drivers in all collisions, part of the Road Traffic Amendment Bill, was “priority legislation”. According to the Road Safety Strategy, this was to be in place by mid-2008.

Legislation to reduce the current alcohol-blood ratio now has no prospect of being adopted by its target date of June.

In addition, legislation for the graduated driver licensing system was to have been introduced by Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey by the third quarter of last year, according to the Road Safety Strategy.

The delays and failures to implement policy emerged as chairman of the Road Safety Authority, Gay Byrne, complained of funding cuts yesterday.

Labour Party Transport spokesman Tommy Broughan was critical of the lack of a firm date for the new legislation. He said: “The numbers of horrific road collisions are mounting steadily. . . yet neither the Taoiseach nor Minister Dempsey could tell me on Wednesday last when we will see the Road Traffic [Amendment] Bill with its provision for mandatory testing of drivers in all collisions.”