Parliamentary Question to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the road safety strategy for 2013 and if he will advise specifically in relation to the speed limit review and the role of education in road safety matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Reply from the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar T.D.

The Road Safety Authority  is currently preparing the next Road Safety Strategy, which will cover an 8-year period from 2013 to 2020.  The aim of this Strategy, like all previous, will be to save lives and prevent injuries by reducing the number and severity of collisions on the road. 

The Strategy will adopt a safe system approach by reinforcing the concept of shared responsbility across organisations, businesses and communities.  Like its predecessors, the Strategy will contain key, definable actions that will seek to achieve the overall aims and close the gap between Ireland and the best performing countries in the EU.  These actions will cover a range of key areas in road safety performance including engineering, enforcement and education.  Education is a vital tool in creating cultural and behavioural changes as it raises awareness across the entire population, young and old. 

The RSA is currently working with all stakeholders to finalise the Strategy and I hope to be in a position to launch the document early in 2013.

In relation to the speed limit review, which I announced earlier this year, a stakeholder group to progress this review has been established by my Department.  This Group includes representatives from the local authorities, the Automobile Association, An Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority, the National Roads Authority as well as the National Transport Authority.  Much progress has been made and I expect to receive a report from the Group by the end of the year.  I will give careful consideration to implementing any recommendations that emerge from the Report.