Sustained reduction in road deaths - Dempsey

THERE HAD been a sustained reduction in the number of people killed on the roads, Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey told the Dáil.

Last year, he said, saw the lowest number on record at 279, despite the fact that, in the past decade, there had been a 40 per cent increase in the number of drivers and a 70 per cent increase in the number of vehicles on the roads. Fatalities this year to yesterday morning, said Mr Dempsey, numbered 128, down 18 from the same date last year.

“As everyone knows, each fatality and serious injury is a tragedy for families, friends and communities,’’ the Minister added. He said he was confident that the provisions in the road traffic Bill would contribute to significant further improvements in road safety.

Fine Gael’s Shane McEntee said that speed was an issue. “Given the drastic number of sergeants leaving the Garda force, I am concerned that we will not be in a position to patrol roads,’’ said Mr McEntee.

Asked by Mr McEntee when the Garda would begin testing for drug-driving, the Minister replied “the sooner, the better’’.