27 Jul 2012
The Road Safety Authority has responsibility for co-ordinating the development of Ireland’s Road Safety Strategy. The Government’s road safety target of no more than 252 deaths per annum by the end of 2012 was achieved in 2009, when the number of road collision deaths in Ireland fell to 239. The reduction in the number of fatalities was achieved through robust actions in terms of education and awareness, road engineering, and enforcement, including significant legislative milestones. The challenge is now to ensure that the impact of these measures on collision levels is sustained and enhanced into the future through continuous education, enforcement and road engineering measures and initiatives.
IPH welcomes the opportunity to respond to this consultation given the significant burden of injury, disability and mortality associated with road traffic collisions on the island of Ireland. IPH supports the development of evidence-based strategies and actions which can maintain a transport system, in which the safety of all road users is paramount.
Key points from IPH response
• IPH welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the development of
evidence-based strategies and actions supportive of road safety.
• IPH acknowledges the significant progress made in terms of
reductions in fatalities in recent years. However, the population
health burden of injury, disability and mortality associated with road
traffic collisions on the island of Ireland remains significant.
• IPH recommends that any future road safety strategy should be
comprehensive with specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and
time-bound (SMART) targets relating to the reduction of fatalities as
well as the reduction of serious injuries.
• The development of indicators suitable to the monitoring of injury
and disability could form a particular focus for the forthcoming
strategy with a view to informing the development of meaningful targets
in the future.
• The development of indicators suitable to the monitoring of
particular vulnerable road users could be explored, with an emphasis on
assessment of various aspects of social inequalities in injuries and
deaths.
• Population ageing as well as an increasing birth rate is likely to
result in higher numbers of vulnerable road users and specific
provision should be made in the strategy to address their needs.
• The increase in cyclists on the road is welcome in terms of the
positive benefits for public health associated with physical activity
and air quality. Promoting the safety of cyclists should form a clear
focus in the strategy and opportunities for synergistic and mutually
supporting working with the implementation of the National Cycling
Policy Framework should be realised.
• Policy and actions set out in the Road Safety Strategy should aim
to be supportive of the Department of Health National Substance Misuse
Strategy in terms of reducing alcohol-related harm on the roads.
Opportunities for synergistic and mutually supportive working to reduce
alcohol-related harm on the roads should be actively pursued.
• Improved understanding of the potential positive and negative
harms associated with technologies used by drivers should form a
distinct work programme in the strategy, with particular attention paid
to appropriate data on mobile phone usage.
