Greens: Urban sprawl contributing to road deaths

Following today's announcement of new road safety proposals by the Road Safety Authority to the Minister of Transport, Green Party Spokesperson on Transport, Eamon Ryan TD said today: "We welcome any measures that help reduce the number of tragic accidents on our roads.

"However, it is also important to remember that one of the crucial elements in road accidents in this country is the amount of driving done on country roads, particularly at night time. People today have no choice but to leave remote housing belts and travel long distances by car just to access normal social and family amenities.

"That people are forced to drive long distances to partake in normal community life is a direct result of this Government's free-for-all approach to planning.

"The problem of urban sprawl is further exacerbated by the high cost of housing, which is forcing young families to move further and further away from social centres.

"While the Green Party support today's proposals, we also recognise that it is impossible to police each and every Irish road around the clock.

What we can do, however, is put an end to the sprawl of poorly-planned, under-resourced housing belts. There should be no lack of political will to implement the measures proposed by the Road Safety Council to ensure a reduction in the unacceptable level of deaths on our road."