With an annual death-rate on the roads here of approximately 12 people per 100,000, twice that in Britain, the Republic is among the most dangerous countries in the EU in which to drive.
Despite this, it has one of the most liberal driving regimes in the EU. The Republic was the last member-state to introduce a national car test as required by EU law. It will be the last to establish a compulsory register for driving instructors, scheduled for 2002. And it will be among the last to set up a penalty points system for drivers.
Along with Britain, Ireland has the highest alcohol tolerance limit in the EU of 80 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood. Unlike Britain, however, there is no compulsory sentencing here for those in breach of the limit.
Only Britain has also yet to introduce random breathalysing.
Ireland is also out of step in its treatment of unqualified drivers, who may continue to drive unaccompanied after failing the driving test.
Moreover, testing in other member-states is far more rigorous. In Sweden, for example, where there are only 14 road fatalities per 100,000 cars compared to 44 in Ireland, trainee drivers have to prove themselves under various weather conditions and pass a series of written exams. There are moves in Europe to create a standard test for all member-states, which would require a further revision of the Government's road safety plan.
Many safety campaigners believe Ireland should be looking elsewhere for inspiration on road safety. Compulsory blood-testing and mandatory retraining for repeat offenders are among the measures introduced in Australia with some success. In Canada, a probationary scheme under which learner drivers are forced to keep to lower speed limits and obey a night-time curfew has been credited with reducing fatalities.