As 2024 begins with seven road deaths in as many days, Jack Chambers said there is a “culture of recklessness” on Irish roads causing fatalities.
Seven people have died on Irish roads so far, including three on Friday, January 5th.
This follows the 184 road deaths in 2023, a 19% increase compared to 2022.
Minister of State for Transport Jack Chambers said he’s aware of the “devastation” among many families so early into the year.
“It has been the worst possible start to 2024 with seven lives lost,” he told The Anton Savage Show.
“We are taking action and an evidence-based approach as well.
“We have legislation we are trying to fast-track through the Oireachtas, I'll be introducing that in the next number of weeks.”
The Road Safety Act takes aim at several motor safety issues and introduces several measures such as mandatory drug testing at the scene of the crash.
Mr Chambers said the Government is hoping to tackle basic safety issues that can lead to devastating consequences.
“We know there is a culture of recklessness on our roads – people taking a chance whether that’s speeding or checking their phone,” he said.
“We're bringing a safer default baseline for speeding, particularly for those roads that can fit only one car, those winding rural roads where we see a lot of accidents.
“We’re also working with the RSA in campaigns and advertising to bring that wider awareness.
“People are aware of it but there are still a high number of people recklessly taking a chance, trying to save an extra few seconds, risking their own lives and others’ lives.”
Chambers on Gardaí enforcement
Critics of the Road Safety Act have said the legislation could lead to “self-evidently stupid speed limits” and the only way to prevent road deaths is increased Garda presence.
Mr Chambers said he doesn’t dispute a Garda presence is important and there has been a “strong recruitment campaign” to increase visibility in 2024.
“But just to take a step back,” he added. “Gardaí had over 87,000 checkpoints, over 200,000 people caught for speeding, 18,000 caught for using a phone 7,700 arrested for intoxicated driving.
“That shows in the wider public sphere a cohort of people that are just ignoring Gardaí.”
The Road Safety Act also includes penalty point reforms where people can get multiple points for multiple offences at once.
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Main image: Minister of State Jack Chambers arriving for a Cabinet meeting, 06/09/2023. Image: Sasko Lazarov / © RollingNews.ie
