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.

But unless the scheme is properly implemented, with adequate policing to ensure the law is enforced, there is a danger that progress could be lost.

Hard-pressed taxpayers will not forget how the public finances were raided during the Coalition’s profligate vote-buying spree in the run-up to the last election. Since then, as the global downturn deepened, vital facilities have been cut in health, education and a wide range of public services.

What is painfully obvious is that by cutting back on investment in safety measures, the Government risks putting lives in danger on our roads.