The politics of road deaths

REARVIEW:Our politicians have a lot to answer for, not least the shambolic public finances. But at least they never killed anybody, right? Directly, of course, they haven't. However, it could be argued that they are indirectly responsible for scores of deaths and serious injuries by their past failings.

The banking reports ruled that Government policies were largely to blame for the economic crisis that has left Ireland in such a sorry financial state. As a result, the exchequer cupboard is bare, and there is no money left for vital services, such as policing.

The Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey was in Brussels last week accepting a well-deserved accolade for Ireland’s recent successes in cutting road deaths. However, on the day before he was being feted, the Road Safety Authority warned that the fatality rate was creeping back up again.

At the same time, the Labour Party expressed concerns that a significant drop in the number of Garda checkpoints may be linked to this rise in fatalities. Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy told an Oireachtas committee last week the number of checkpoints fell by 20,000 to 55,000 last year and there is no indication this situation will improve any time soon.

We humans are essentially wild animals at heart. Without the structures of society, we quickly return to our primal state of doing exactly as we please, regardless of the consequences. In many cases, this involves driving recklessly with predictable and tragic results.

In a nutshell, we need to be saved from ourselves. By destroying the economy, politicians have reduced the State’s ability to do just that.

The deaths of road-users who might have been saved by Garda intervention should weigh heavy on the Government’s consciences.