Number of road deaths lowest in 37 years

THE number of people killed on the roads last year was the lowest in 37 years, figures released yesterday revealed.

Welcoming the 18% cut in the number of road deaths to 379, Transport Minister Séamus Brennan pledged to introduce new strategies and tougher enforcement measures to further reduce fatalities and injuries.

The figures also showed that more than 1,200 people were arrested on suspicion of drink driving over the Christmas period, slightly down on last year. Garda HQ said a total of 1,261 people were arrested for drink driving offences since the start of the Christmas crackdown on November 28. This compares to 1,337 over the same period last year.

The high point for arrests was in the week leading up to Christmas Day when nearly 300 were stopped. The figures suggest a core element of motorists are ignoring hard-hitting safety messages and continuing to drink and drive. New Year's Eve 2002 marked the end of a five-year strategy by the Government to reduce road deaths by 20%. They were cut by 18% to 379, the lowest number since 1965 when 365 people died. The biggest reduction in deaths was noted during 2002, believed to be mainly due to the Government's long-awaited introduction of the penalty points system for speeding. However, the new year began with the death of a man in Waterville, Co Kerry. The motorcyclist in his 60s died following the 6.40am crash yesterday. There was no other vehicle involved. Mr Brennan said the effect of the application of penalty points for speeding had been dramatic. "The last year in itself has witnessed a dramatic reduction in deaths and I intend that this will mark a watershed in road safety in this country," he said.

Mr Brennan added: "In 2003 a number of other significant road safety measures will be introduced, including the roll-out of the full penalty points system and the reform of the provisional licence system."

From today, gardaí have pledged to enforce the laws in relation to provisional drivers. They must be accompanied by someone on a full licence. In addition, all drivers also have to carry their licence with them. They will

ultimately, although not immediately, be given one penalty point for failing to do so.

Licensing authorities reported a huge upsurge in numbers of drivers applying for licences over the last number of weeks.

Some had not been renewed for years.

Meanwhile, Dublin City Council has introduced a system whereby parking fines can be paid via mobile phones.