In response to a concerning rise in road fatalities, an additional €3 million euro is set to be allocated towards road safety campaigns and education programs this year. The decision was made during a meeting between the Road Safety Authority (RSA), Taoiseach Simon Harris, and the Ministers for Transport and Justice.
The funding will be utilized to fast-track efforts in resolving technical and legal hurdles, particularly in enabling cameras to identify mobile phone use and seatbelt violations. Immediate action will be taken, with the rollout of safety campaigns and educational initiatives commencing promptly, funded by reserves from the organization.
Additionally, new legislation may be introduced to address privacy and GDPR concerns surrounding the sharing of collision data. The RSA will identify further funding requirements for the year, while Gardaí will collaborate by providing their enforcement strategies.
Furthermore, adjustments to the driving test, not updated in over three decades, will continue to be pursued. Efforts to reduce average wait times for driving tests and NCTs are also underway, with a target of 10 weeks for driving tests and 12 days for NCTs by mid-year.
To ensure swift progress on these vital measures, the Taoiseach has announced plans to chair a meeting of the Government’s Ministerial Road Safety Committee in the near future. This collective action aims to address urgent road safety concerns and enhance overall safety on Irish roads.