Eleven fewer people died on Irish roads in the first half of this year compared with the same period in 2000. Since January, 185 people have died; 196 had died by this time last year.
"We are pleased at the reduction, but there is no complacency. These are very small figures," said Insp Michael Brosnan of the Garda National Traffic Bureau. Nearly 5,400 people were arrested for driving under the influence of drink or drugs in the first five months of this year. Almost 150,000 were fined for speeding and 28,000 people were fined for not wearing seat belts. These figures have all increased since last year, despite extensive advertising campaigns on road safety.
Insp Brosnan said the increase in arrests and fines was in part due to the success of Operation Lifesaver, but 95 per cent of people arrested were over the limit and 63 per cent had twice the legal limit in their systems. Operation Lifesaver is part of the Government's road safety strategy. It has increased Garda resources to enforce regulation on seat belts, speeding and driving while intoxicated, the major factors in fatal road accidents. Insp Brosnan said there was not enough research to tell whether increased detection rates meant more people were speeding. A 1999 National Roads Authority report found that 51 per cent of drivers were going faster than the 60mph speed limit on national primary two-lane roads, where most fatal accidents occur. He said there were no indications that this was decreasing.
The term driving under the influence of drink has been broadened to include drugs, but Insp Brosnan said it was difficult to test for drugs. Alcohol can be tested for in the blood and urine, but testing for drugs can only be done through urine.
A recent National Roads Authority report found that only 20 per cent of people complied with seat-belt regulations. Insp Brosnan said there was particular concern about children. "If you were putting Waterford Crystal in the back seat, you would try to protect it," he said.
He added: "Seat belts are only effective at slow speeds, and airbags are only effective if you are wearing a seat belt."
There is a £20 on-the-spot fine for not wearing a seat belt and a £60 fine for speeding. These are expected to increased under the Road Traffic Bill 2001.
There are also plans to introduce mobile speed cameras by the middle of next year.