Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 February 2026
38. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Transport the recent measures introduced to reduce road fatalities and serious injuries; the way in which their effectiveness is being monitored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15261/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraLast July, I published the Phase 2 Action Plan under the Government's current ten-year Road Safety Strategy which will run to December 2027. The Action Plan aims to support and progress the overarching Strategy objectives of halving road deaths and serious injuries by 2030 and getting as close as possible to eliminating them, or 'Vision Zero', by 2050.
The Action Plan contains 12 primary and 77 supporting actions, with the potential to deliver real transformative change. Actions are grounded in the internationally recognised Safe Systems approach and will be delivered through partnership and collaborative working by road safety stakeholders.
Key actions include:
• Investing significantly into new and improved active travel and public transport
• Expanding network safety analysis of the road network to identify high-risk locations, guide investment decisions and prioritise safety interventions including for the local road network
• Implementing the recommendations of the 2023 Speed Limit Review
• Reviewing and overhauling the learning to drive curriculum
In February, the first implementation phase of the speed limit review was introduced, which saw the default speed limit on rural and local roads reduced from 80km/h to 60km/h. Evaluation of the impact on road safety is ongoing.
In October, local authorities were directed to review existing speed limits on roads in built-up and urban areas. Local authorities will, where appropriate, implement lower speed limits of 30km/h in cities and towns and have been directed to conclude this process by 31 March 2027.
The Government has also approved the General Scheme of the National Vehicle and Driver File Bill, which will restore direct collision data sharing with local authorities to help better inform investment decisions. This Bill is on the Government's Priority for Publication list for the current legislative term, and it is my intention to see it enacted before the summer recess.
Work on the first National Safety Camera Strategy is progressing and is now at an advanced stage. The Department is working closely with road safety stakeholders, including the NTA, TII, RSA and An Garda Síochána, on how best to implement the Strategy. The Strategy has an initial focus on speeding, red light running, and bus lane infringements, with flexibility for the enforcement of other types of offence in future. Once in place, the Strategy will provide the framework for increased deployment of cameras across the network, in both urban and rural locations, to assist with the enforcement of a wide range of road traffic offences.
Long-standing issues are also being addressed, including in relation to multiple learner permits which, under current rules, allow individuals to repeatedly renew a permit without sitting a driving test. Regulations were signed last month to end this practice, with the changes coming into effect in November 2026.
Finally, on 4 February, Cabinet approved the preparation of regulations ban the use of scramblers in any public place. While scramblers have legitimate off-road uses that will be allowed to continue, these regulations will bring additional legal clarity to the existing position that scramblers are banned for use on the road in almost all cases. My Department is working with the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel with a view to making these regulations within a matter of weeks.
