IT MAKES sound economic sense to invest in road safety. But the Government has not got the message. Ministers and their officials at the Departments of Finance and of Justice have yet to deliver on the introduction of speed cameras. And motorists continue to drive recklessly, resulting in high levels of mortality and injury. The economic cost in terms of lost production and health charges is enormous. The emotional, financial and social impact on the families concerned is dreadful.
Speed cameras, of themselves, will not put an end to dangerous driving. But they are a vital part in a broader culture of compliance and enforcement designed to gradually reduce the death toll on our roads. Last weekend provided an unwelcome example of what can happen if vigilance is relaxed. Eight people died over the holiday weekend and many more were seriously injured. It was the worst outcome in five years and speed and drink were contributory factors in some cases.
Chairman of the Road Safety Authority (RSA) Gay Byrne is justifiably angry. The Department of Justice said in February that it would contact the preferred bidder with a view to starting contract negotiations immediately on the installation of a network of speed cameras throughout the State. But little or no progress appears to have been made.
The other contentious matter: a reduction to EU levels in the blood/alcohol limit for drivers is expected to receive formal Government sanction. But legislation giving effect to a new, lower, 50mg level, may be delayed until after the local elections of next year. Opposition to the measure by backbench Fianna Fáil TDs and rural publicans would suggest the Government may not be in a hurry to deal with the issue.
Bowing to vested interests and failing to invest in necessary safety measures have been the hallmark of successive governments. A price has been paid in the number of unnecessary deaths and serious injuries. The situation is, however, improving. The latest road safety strategy aims to reduce the number of deaths by 400 during the next five years. That would be a wonderful achievement. But it will take political will, increased funding and determination. Failure to introduce speed cameras would represent a major setback. Motorists respond most readily to the threat of detection and punishment. If the incidence of speeding – a major cause of fatal crashes – is to be reduced, then cameras are needed. In addition, traffic police must maintain a higher profile.