Road deaths - Coalition cannot evade responsibility

THERE is no simple answer to the appalling carnage on Ireland’s roads but it is patently clear that Government measures are not working.

The Coalition must accept blame for failing to deliver resources needed to tackle this rapidly worsening crisis.

It is simplistic merely to blame drivers, as Justice Minister Michael McDowell was accused of doing yesterday in a perceived Pontius Pilate act of washing the Government’s hands of blame.

Obviously, irresponsible motorists must be put under the spotlight but there is no denying the Government has singularly failed to reduce road deaths.

As witnessed when penalty points came into force in 2002, strong legislation and deterrent measures clearly work. Regrettably, this administration has been less than convincing in tackling such problems as drink driving by motorists who regularly make a mockery of the law. As a result, the points system has fallen into disrepute.

The Coalition must also accept blame for allowing tens of thousands of unlicensed and inexperienced drivers loose on the roads.

The poor condition of many roads is also to blame. Too many innocent victims, including young people, parents, married couples and tiny children, have died at accident black-spots and on pot-holed roads.

Clearly, the authorities must clamp down on those who persist in driving without regard for the safety of others. But despite repeated garda crackdowns, the carnage continues without let-up. Regrettably, every garda blitz seems to fizzle out soon after being launched with a fanfare of publicity.

Public relations hype is no substitute for a visible garda presence on the roads. Unless greater resources are provided, the public will have little faith in the Government’s ability to tackle this critical problem.

Unfortunately, Cabinet ministers responsible for implementing key policy decisions, including Transport Minister Martin Cullen and Mr McDowell, have been long on promises but short on action.

Following the fatal accident involving three young victims, including a brother and sister, returning from the Oxegen music festival, the owner of the hotel and restaurant in Kilworth, Co Cork, where two of the student victims worked part-time, openly criticised Mr McDowell for blaming the problem on drivers.

Calling for Gay Byrne’s resignation as chairman of the Road Safety Authority, Declan Corbett suggested he should be replaced by a younger role model like Seán Óg Ó Hailpín, a figure youngsters would heed.

Visibly distressed, Mr Byrne described the spate of deaths as a tragedy and implored motorists to slow down and not to drink and drive. Confirming that more resources are needed by gardaí, Mr Byrne said they had told the authority there were simply not enough officers to do what the public expect.

Besides additional personnel, the gardaí also need extra administrative staff to free up personnel to combat those who flout the rules of the road.

Tragically, July has been the worst month of 2006. Yesterday’s death of a cyclist in Mullingar brings to 12 the number killed in road accidents since Sunday. So far this year there have been 215 fatalities, 20 more than in the same time last year.

As for Mr Cullen’s claim that the penalty points system would reduce the number of fatalities, there is no evidence to support this view.

Following the last spate of road deaths, the Government set up a Cabinet sub-committee. However, notwithstanding the current carnage, it has not met for six weeks.

Politicians cannot evade blame for the Coalition’s inept performance in tackling road deaths. An angry public will hold the Government responsible for the horrendous carnage.

Not before time, new measures aimed at outlawing mobile phones, introducing random breath testing and privatising speed cameras will finally come into effect on Friday.

Given Ireland’s vast wealth, it is scandalous that the Coalition has not given this life-and-death crisis the major priority treatment it has warranted.