Fine Gael complained last night that the measures most likely to be effective in curbing road deaths have been long-fingered and one will not be introduced for over a year, while lower alcohol limits are two years away.
Urging the creation of an Oireachtas committee to monitor the implementation of the plan to cut death and casualty numbers, Fine Gael spokesman on transport Shane McEntee said many of yesterday's strategy recommendations were included in the last report.
"We were promised that speed cameras would be in place by the end of the year.
"They have now been pushed back by another 12 months," said the Meath West TD.
He said he suspected that the commitment to cut alcohol limits by a figure not yet decided will not happen at all because its planned introduction in the summer of 2009 will clash with the local elections.
The review on limits currently under way by the Road Safety Authority will be finished "in a few weeks", he claimed.
"I want its recommendations to be brought in before Christmas, and not in 2009."
The introduction of a graduated driving permit is "welcome and long overdue", but must be enforced, and the Garda has already indicated that the experienced driver rule will "only be enforced in certain circumstances".
While the recommendations were welcome, there was "an overwhelming sense of déjà vu", since many were held over from the last report, including roadside drug testing, strict standards for driving instructors, and compulsory motorcyclists' training.
Labour TD Tommy Broughan said tougher enforcement is necessary if road death numbers are to be cut, but he complained that the target to cut serious injury numbers in 2004/2006 strategy was abandoned.
The decision to delay cutting alcohol limits is "disappointing", he said.
"There is another consultative process being undertaken with legislation [ if necessary] only being brought forward in the second quarter of 2009.
"Yet international research confirms that there are significant cuts in road fatalities and injuries from a reduction to the 50 mg blood alcohol limit," said Mr Broughan.
Mr Broughan also praised RSA chairman, Gay Byrne and the body's officials.