Cutbacks putting lives in danger

IT is alarming to learn that because of swingeing cost-cutting measures imposed by the Department of Finance, the National Safety Council is struggling to sustain safety gains made on the roads in recent years.

This charge was levelled at the Government yesterday by council chairman Eddie Shaw, who complained that road safety was being viewed as a cost rather than as an investment.

Thankfully, road deaths have fallen by 20% since 1997, while serious injuries are down 50% since the introduction of penalty points.