The Government’s new road safety strategy, which was published recently, aims to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries by 50 per cent over the next 10 years.
This ambitious target means reducing deaths on Ireland’s roads annually from 144 to 72 or lower, and reducing serious injuries from 1,259 to 630 or lower by 2030.
The Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 will be delivered in three phases. Phase one which runs from 2021 to 2024 is backed by a projected €3.8bn investment, and includes 50 actions. Some of these promised actions:
•The introduction of a 30km/h default speed limit in urban areas.
• The potential of an online portal for road users to upload footage of road traffic offences which could assist in prosecution.
• Legislate for increased sanctions for polydrug and drug and alcohol use while driving.
• Review the penalties for serious road traffic offences such as speeding, mobile phone use, and non-wearing of seat belts.
• Reduce the number of learner car drivers who hold a third or subsequent learner permit.
• Expand speed management measures on national, regional and local roads.
Since the launch of the first Road Safety Strategy in 1998, road deaths have declined by almost 70 per cent.
