Menu
28/03/2013
Minister Launches Road Safety Strategy
Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport Leo Varadkar has launched the Government's fourth Road Safety Strategy today at the Road Transport Safety Conference on Serious Injuries.
The Strategy – 'Closing the Gap' - will run until 2020 and aims to make Ireland one of the safest countries in terms of road deaths in the EU. It will also focus on new measures to reduce the number and severity of serious injuries arising from road collisions.
The new Strategy sets a specific target for 2020 to reduce the number of road deaths to 124 a year (from 162 in 2012) and serious injuries to 330 per year (from 485 in 2012). This drop is necessary to close the gap between Ireland and other best performing countries such as the UK, Netherlands, Sweden and Australia.
Minister Varadkar said: "This is a significant day for road safety as we launch the new Government Road Safety Strategy. Ireland has made huge advances, and was the fifth safest country in the EU in 2011. Ireland outperformed the EU average in reducing road fatalities by 12% in 2012. The RSA is responsible for the overall implementation of the Strategy and will report to me annually on implementation. Together we now want to make Ireland one of the safest countries in the EU in terms of road deaths, if not the world.
"However, I am very concerned about the number of road fatalities since the beginning of this year. It is a stark reminder to us all that we cannot become complacent where road safety is concerned. The fatalities have increased on the same period in 2012 and, while it is too early in the year to try to identify patterns, it does serve to demonstrate that we must continue to be vigilant when using the roads. We must step up our good behaviour as drivers, continue enforcement and keeping educating drivers and reminding the public of their responsibilities as road users and the human cost of road traffic collisions. I want to take this opportunity again to appeal to all road users to redouble their efforts in road safety. Any progress made over the last decade can be erased very quickly."
(CD)
The Strategy – 'Closing the Gap' - will run until 2020 and aims to make Ireland one of the safest countries in terms of road deaths in the EU. It will also focus on new measures to reduce the number and severity of serious injuries arising from road collisions.
The new Strategy sets a specific target for 2020 to reduce the number of road deaths to 124 a year (from 162 in 2012) and serious injuries to 330 per year (from 485 in 2012). This drop is necessary to close the gap between Ireland and other best performing countries such as the UK, Netherlands, Sweden and Australia.
Minister Varadkar said: "This is a significant day for road safety as we launch the new Government Road Safety Strategy. Ireland has made huge advances, and was the fifth safest country in the EU in 2011. Ireland outperformed the EU average in reducing road fatalities by 12% in 2012. The RSA is responsible for the overall implementation of the Strategy and will report to me annually on implementation. Together we now want to make Ireland one of the safest countries in the EU in terms of road deaths, if not the world.
"However, I am very concerned about the number of road fatalities since the beginning of this year. It is a stark reminder to us all that we cannot become complacent where road safety is concerned. The fatalities have increased on the same period in 2012 and, while it is too early in the year to try to identify patterns, it does serve to demonstrate that we must continue to be vigilant when using the roads. We must step up our good behaviour as drivers, continue enforcement and keeping educating drivers and reminding the public of their responsibilities as road users and the human cost of road traffic collisions. I want to take this opportunity again to appeal to all road users to redouble their efforts in road safety. Any progress made over the last decade can be erased very quickly."
(CD)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
27 November 2015
Annual Drink Driving Campaign Launched By Garda And RSA
Gardaí and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) have launched their annual Christmas and New Year Road Safety Campaign, following a survey that revealed 284,000 drivers admitted to drink driving in the past 12 months. Speaking at the launch of the annual festive road safety campaign, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr.
Annual Drink Driving Campaign Launched By Garda And RSA
Gardaí and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) have launched their annual Christmas and New Year Road Safety Campaign, following a survey that revealed 284,000 drivers admitted to drink driving in the past 12 months. Speaking at the launch of the annual festive road safety campaign, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr.
27 June 2017
Garda And RSA Launch Summer Road Safety Campaign
An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) are appealing to all road users to take greater care on the roads this summer, which traditionally carries higher risk for all road users. As of 26 June, there have been 76 road fatalities, 11 fewer compared to this date last year.
Garda And RSA Launch Summer Road Safety Campaign
An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) are appealing to all road users to take greater care on the roads this summer, which traditionally carries higher risk for all road users. As of 26 June, there have been 76 road fatalities, 11 fewer compared to this date last year.
05 January 2010
Byrne Commended Over Road Figures
The Road Safety Chief Gay Byrne has been commended after new government statistic showing a reduction in road deaths. The Labour Party's Spokesperson on Transport, Tommy Broughan, today commended the work by the Road Safety Authority, which is currently led by former Late Late Show host Gay Byrne.
Byrne Commended Over Road Figures
The Road Safety Chief Gay Byrne has been commended after new government statistic showing a reduction in road deaths. The Labour Party's Spokesperson on Transport, Tommy Broughan, today commended the work by the Road Safety Authority, which is currently led by former Late Late Show host Gay Byrne.
25 October 2007
L-Driver Tuition To be Mandatory
Next week will see new rules for learner drivers will come into operation. It is part of a new road safety strategy from the Road Safety Authority which will also see a new graduated driver licensing system being implemented and the introduction of mandatory tuition for all learner drivers.
L-Driver Tuition To be Mandatory
Next week will see new rules for learner drivers will come into operation. It is part of a new road safety strategy from the Road Safety Authority which will also see a new graduated driver licensing system being implemented and the introduction of mandatory tuition for all learner drivers.
25 October 2019
Gardaí Announce Bank Holiday Road Safety Campaign
Gardaí have announced a Bank Holiday Road Safety Campaign, that will see them carrying out high visibility patrols and checkpoints across the roads network. Garda are appealing to motorists not to drive under the influence of an intoxicant and to reduce speed.
Gardaí Announce Bank Holiday Road Safety Campaign
Gardaí have announced a Bank Holiday Road Safety Campaign, that will see them carrying out high visibility patrols and checkpoints across the roads network. Garda are appealing to motorists not to drive under the influence of an intoxicant and to reduce speed.
-
Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, soon followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
