The Government has pussy-footed around the issue of road safety for too long. The rising number of road deaths and serious injuries reflects its failure to take tough decisions and to invest in the necessary manpower and enforcement apparatus.
But this is not just a Government problem. As a society, we continue to tolerate the consumption of alcohol by motorists. And when drink driving cases finally get to court, with adequate evidence of intoxication, the offenders frequently escape punishment on dubious technical grounds. It almost amounts to an unspoken conspiracy.
In today's world, road safety is not an optional extra. All drivers have a responsibility to contribute to accident-free motoring by abstaining from drink and drugs, by wearing seat belts, observing speed limits and obeying the various rules of the road. The increase in the number of road deaths and serious crashes is clear evidence that this responsibility is being ignored. And one of the main causes is that motorists have little fear of being detected when they break the law.
Former chairman of the National Safety Council Eddie Shaw recently resigned in despair because of the Government's persistent failure to invest in road safety measures. Had it done so, an estimated 140 deaths might have been avoided last year. Now, with a general election on the horizon, there has been a flurry of activity. Taoiseach Bertie Ahern announced that random breath-testing would, after all, be introduced. Minister for Transport Martin Cullen extended the penalty points system to cover 31 extra offences. Minister for Justice Michael McDowell announced that 60 extra gardaí will shortly be allocated to the traffic corps. And a Cabinet subcommittee will co-ordinate this new activity.
Governments are great for passing laws. Too often, they fail to enforce them because of pressure from vested interests. And that, unfortunately, has been a characteristic of the official approach to road safety, particularly where the abuse of alcohol has been concerned.
The necessary funding and manpower were not provided at the introduction of the penalty points system. And there is no compelling evidence of a radical change in that approach. Even the commitment to random breath -testing is tainted by constitutional uncertainty and by a need to introduce new legislation.
A more vigorous and broadly-based road safety campaign is required. Along with new legislation on random breath testing, the Government should put the issue beyond doubt by holding a referendum to provide for the drink and drugs testing of motorists.
At the same time, a porous legal system that allowed some 5,000 drunk drivers to escape without penalty last year will have to be addressed. Judges should be advised to apply uniform standards. And the technical uncertainties being exploited by experienced barristers should be closed off. The law must be enforced, not made to look an ass.