Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 February 2026
240. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Transport the additional measures his Department implemented upon failing to meet the Phase 1 death reduction targets in Vision Zero; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16153/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 has the target of halving deaths and serious injuries on our roads this decade. This means achieving no more than 72 deaths by 2030. Achieving this reduction based on an annual straight-line projection, the Phase 1 Action Plan noted that deaths in 2024 would have had to be no higher than 122. Regrettably, this end-Phase 1 figure was breached, with 171 road deaths that year.
Achieving our 2030 target will now require even greater efforts and a steeper rate of decline during Phase 2 and Phase 3. However, I must emphasise that Vision Zero remains national road safety policy and this Government is committed to improving road safety. It is imperative that we address the upward trend of recent years.
A range of work is underway during Phase 2 to help restore Ireland's long-term road safety progress, including:
• Expanding network safety analysis of the road network to identify high-risk locations and guide investment decisions
• Implementation of safer speed limits
• Reviewing and overhauling our learning to drive curriculum
My Department is also progressing a significant legislative programme to deliver on the Programme for Government. The National Vehicle and Driver File Bill is on the Priority for Publication list for the current legislative term and targeted for enactment by the summer. Among other measures, this legislation will restore direct collision data sharing with local authorities. The next Road Traffic Bill is also under development and will legislate for graduated speeding penalties and the camera enforcement of mobile phone and seatbelt offences.
We are also bringing forward new regulations as a matter of urgency to strengthen current restrictions and fully ban the use of scramblers and similar off-road vehicles in public spaces.
