Menu
05/01/2010
Byrne Commended Over Road Figures
The Road Safety Chief Gay Byrne has been commended after new government statistic showing a reduction in road deaths.
The Labour Party's Spokesperson on Transport, Tommy Broughan, today commended the work by the Road Safety Authority, which is currently led by former Late Late Show host Gay Byrne.
Road deaths in Ireland fell again last year from 279 to 239, putting it in-line with the EU demand of a road death reduction of 50% before 2010.
However, despite the positive news, Mr Broughan raised the issue of high drug-driving levels which peaked at a 15 times increase in 2008.
Mr Broughan said: "The Road Safety Authority (RSA) led by Gay Byrne, Noel Brett and all their staff must be strongly commended for their outstanding work in significantly reducing road deaths in 2009. Yet 239 lives were still tragically lost last year.
"Minister Dempsey must now ensure that the RSA and the Medical Bureau of Road Safety are given all of the necessary technical and other resources to address the increasing menace of drug driving."
The findings from the Central Statistics Office have revealed that in the last quarter of 2004 there were just 16 recorded offences of driving a vehicle under the influence of drugs while in the last quarter of 2008 there were 238 recorded incidents of drug driving, 253 incidents in the first quarter of 2009, 218 incidents in quarter two of 2009 and 128 incidents in quarter three of last year.
The Labour spokesman added: "Due to the lack of a random roadside drug enforcement and testing regime, these figures probably represent only a fraction of drug drivers.
"For example a 2008 investigation by the insurance company Hibernian found that more than 20% of drivers under the age of 35 had driven while under the influence of drugs."
In the North, a total of 115 people died on the roads in 2009, according to provisional figures released this week. This is eight people more than in 2008.
See: Deadly Year On NI Roads Outlined
(DW/BMcC)
The Labour Party's Spokesperson on Transport, Tommy Broughan, today commended the work by the Road Safety Authority, which is currently led by former Late Late Show host Gay Byrne.
Road deaths in Ireland fell again last year from 279 to 239, putting it in-line with the EU demand of a road death reduction of 50% before 2010.
However, despite the positive news, Mr Broughan raised the issue of high drug-driving levels which peaked at a 15 times increase in 2008.
Mr Broughan said: "The Road Safety Authority (RSA) led by Gay Byrne, Noel Brett and all their staff must be strongly commended for their outstanding work in significantly reducing road deaths in 2009. Yet 239 lives were still tragically lost last year.
"Minister Dempsey must now ensure that the RSA and the Medical Bureau of Road Safety are given all of the necessary technical and other resources to address the increasing menace of drug driving."
The findings from the Central Statistics Office have revealed that in the last quarter of 2004 there were just 16 recorded offences of driving a vehicle under the influence of drugs while in the last quarter of 2008 there were 238 recorded incidents of drug driving, 253 incidents in the first quarter of 2009, 218 incidents in quarter two of 2009 and 128 incidents in quarter three of last year.
The Labour spokesman added: "Due to the lack of a random roadside drug enforcement and testing regime, these figures probably represent only a fraction of drug drivers.
"For example a 2008 investigation by the insurance company Hibernian found that more than 20% of drivers under the age of 35 had driven while under the influence of drugs."
In the North, a total of 115 people died on the roads in 2009, according to provisional figures released this week. This is eight people more than in 2008.
See: Deadly Year On NI Roads Outlined
(DW/BMcC)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
12 April 2017
New Powers Allow For Roadside Drug Testing
The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross has announced the commencement of the drug driving provisions in the Road Traffic Act 2016. One of the key measures in the legislation provides for Preliminary Drug Testing, which will enable Gardaí to test motorists whom they suspect of driving under the influence of drugs at the roadside.
New Powers Allow For Roadside Drug Testing
The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross has announced the commencement of the drug driving provisions in the Road Traffic Act 2016. One of the key measures in the legislation provides for Preliminary Drug Testing, which will enable Gardaí to test motorists whom they suspect of driving under the influence of drugs at the roadside.
28 May 2019
Drug Drivers Target Of New Safety Campaign
A new road safety campaign to be held over the June Bank Holiday will target drug drivers, amid an increase in DUI arrests in the first months of the year. The bank holiday safety drive was launched by the Road Safety Authority (RSA), An Garda Síochána and the Medical Bureau of Road Safety (MBRS).
Drug Drivers Target Of New Safety Campaign
A new road safety campaign to be held over the June Bank Holiday will target drug drivers, amid an increase in DUI arrests in the first months of the year. The bank holiday safety drive was launched by the Road Safety Authority (RSA), An Garda Síochána and the Medical Bureau of Road Safety (MBRS).
03 November 2011
National Drugs And Alcohol Strategy In Focus
The misuse of drugs is firmly in the spotlight today with Róisín Shortall, Minister of State with responsibility for Drugs Strategy, speaking at the opening of the National Drugs Conference of Ireland under the theme 'Drug Interventions: What Works?' She said: "It is very important that the initiatives we take to address problem drug use are effect
National Drugs And Alcohol Strategy In Focus
The misuse of drugs is firmly in the spotlight today with Róisín Shortall, Minister of State with responsibility for Drugs Strategy, speaking at the opening of the National Drugs Conference of Ireland under the theme 'Drug Interventions: What Works?' She said: "It is very important that the initiatives we take to address problem drug use are effect
17 December 2010
Gardaí Arrest 45 In Major Drugs Operation
A total of 45 people have been arrested in the past 48 hours in Gardaí a crackdown on the sale and supply of heroin and “crack” cocaine in the Dublin region. The operation, which involved Garda drug units from Kevin Street, Pearse Street and Store Street stations, resulted in 150 charges being brought, according to Gardaí this morning.
Gardaí Arrest 45 In Major Drugs Operation
A total of 45 people have been arrested in the past 48 hours in Gardaí a crackdown on the sale and supply of heroin and “crack” cocaine in the Dublin region. The operation, which involved Garda drug units from Kevin Street, Pearse Street and Store Street stations, resulted in 150 charges being brought, according to Gardaí this morning.
17 December 2014
Fine Gael Support Supervised Drug Injection Centre
Dublin needs a supervised drug injection centre, Fine Gael South Central TD Catherine Byrne has said. Deputy Byrne made the comment in support of the Ana Liffey Project's proposal for the first ever medically supervised drug injection centre in Ireland. "I strongly support the idea of a supervised drug injection centre.
Fine Gael Support Supervised Drug Injection Centre
Dublin needs a supervised drug injection centre, Fine Gael South Central TD Catherine Byrne has said. Deputy Byrne made the comment in support of the Ana Liffey Project's proposal for the first ever medically supervised drug injection centre in Ireland. "I strongly support the idea of a supervised drug injection centre.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:A cloudy morning with scattered showers, some of these could be heavy in the afternoon. Becoming mostly dry by evening with increasing amounts of sunshine. Feeling rather warm. Maximum temperature 20 °C.Tonight:A bright end to the day with any showers quickly dying out. Dry overnight with long clear spells and light winds. Minimum temperature 11 °C.
