Motorists may be encouraged to film and report bad driving

The creation of a system that would allow drivers to upload videos of other motorists engaged in risky behaviour, potentially allowing for their prosecution, is to be examined as part of a new road safety strategy.

The strategy sets a target of halving the number of annual road deaths by 2030 and completely eliminating motoring fatalities and serious injuries by 2050.

There were 147 deaths on Ireland’s roads last year, an increase of 5 per cent on the 2019 total, and 126 people have died so far this year.

One possible measure to curb risky driver behaviour mooted in the strategy is allowing motorists to report on dangerous behaviour by other road users“by uploading footage of road traffic offences”.

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It says there are a number of ways motorists could record each other, including dashboard-mounted cameras, without having to rely on hand held devices such as smart phones.

The 10-year strategy is divided into three phases, with the first running until 2024; the second from 2025 to 2027 and the third from 2028 to 2030.

For the first time, the road safety strategy includes a budget, bringing together what various State agencies are to spend on the issue, particularly in relation to providing safer spaces for walking and cycling in cities and other urban areas. It says the construction of around 1,000km of segregated walking and cycling facilities will have been started or completed by 2025.

Protecting vulnerable users

Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said the strategy was “ambitious” and “prioritises the safety of those who are most vulnerable, ensuring their right to travel the roads safely is protected”.

He also said concerns about climate change “and the need to change our behaviour are being reflected in increased growth in active travel across Ireland.

“We need to encourage more people to use sustainable forms of transport – cycling, walking and using public transport – and this must be supported in our strategic thinking around road safety.”

Under phase one, the strategy proposes the creation of a working group to examine and review how speed limits are set. This would involve specific consideration of bringing in a 30km/h default speed limit in urban areas.

It also suggests expanding speed management measures to high-risk locations on all roads in collaboration with An Garda Síochána, reviewing the operation of the mobile safety camera system to maximise its effectiveness and examining if the penalties for serious road traffic offences are appropriate.

Road safety indicator

The strategy calls for the development and implementation of a safety rating indicator for national roads, which would better help targeting investment on sections of national roads with the highest risk of fatal or serious injury.

It proposes tougher sanctions for learner permit holders who drive unaccompanied or do not obey the rules of the road, and a review of road traffic policy and legislation to prioritise the safety of walkers and cyclists.

The strategy says that in the last six months of phase one an action plan and further interim targets for the following phase will be developed.

The Road Safety Authority said the strategy is led by a “safe system” approach which emphasises the shared responsibility amongst those who design, build, manage and use the roads and vehicles to prevent collisions and reduce their impacts.