Road Safety
Mr. Gormley: On 11 October last I asked the Tánaiste why two years on from a promise given by the then Minister for Transport, Deputy Brennan, random breath testing had not been introduced. In her reply the Tánaiste said “there are complex reasons for the difficulties in this matter”. The present Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen, added “There are constitutional issues to consider.” Since then he has told the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport that he is committed to the Government’s road safety strategy pledge to introduce random testing by the end of 2006 but insists that the legislation must be legally sound and have all party support.
I ask the Minister of State this evening to stop the delaying tactics. There are no difficulties on this side of the House, in the same way as there were no difficulties in respect of the ban on smoking in the workplace. The Government had total support then, and it has full and unequivocal support from the Green Party and the other Opposition parties to introduce random breath testing.
The Government should stop making excuses and introduce this measure which will save hundreds of lives. The facts speak for themselves: 33% of all fatal collisions are associated with alcohol consumption. Some 89% of blood and urine assessments, and 81% of breath specimens analysed in 2003 by the medical bureau of road safety were above the alcohol limit for driving. This suggests that many people are driving who are over the limit.
When random breath testing was introduced in Victoria, Australia it was an outstanding success and prevented many accidents associated with alcohol. That state has witnessed a dramatic reduction in drivers killed: in 1987, 49% of all drivers killed there were found to be in excess of the alcohol limit but in 1992 that number had been halved. The evidence exists.
The Minister of State could this evening pass by a large pub whose car park is full of vehicles. We know that people are consuming alcohol then getting into their cars. If we introduce random breath testing that practice would end and there would be a dramatic reduction in fatalities. That is what must be done. Diageo and other members of the drink industry support random breath testing. Let us forget the pretence. There is no opposition on this side of the House. We will support the Government on this.
I can hardly hear myself speak because people in the front row are speaking.
Mr. G. Mitchell: I am listening to the Deputy.
Mr. S. Power: Maybe co-operation on the Opposition benches is not as good as the Deputy expected.
Mr. Gormley: The Minister of State will see our full co-operation.
Mr. McGinley: We agree with everything the Deputy says.
Mr. Gormley: I thank the Deputy.
Cycling has not been mentioned but in this city it is extremely dangerous. Transport 21 has not addressed the difficulties that we cyclists must face daily. Many parents will not allow their children cycle to school for obvious reasons. Cycling must at some stage become not just a leisure pursuit but a means of transport, if we are to deal with many problems including global warming.
The Government must make cycling safe. There are too many fatalities. I have lost too many colleagues and friends in cycling accidents. One talks about the dangers when a truck and car collide but a cyclist has no chance in a collision. I urge the Minister of State to make cycling safe.