SWOV has been requested to carry out a review of Ireland's Road Safety Strategy. This review should pay attention to three aspects: (1) review developments and progress made under the current National Road Safety Strategy 1998-2002; (2) place Ireland's performance in an appropriate international context; and (3) suggest options for priorities for the next Strategy to cover period 2003-2007, paying regard to recent developments (including relevant international developments). The target of the National Road Safety Strategy was a reduction in the annual number of deaths of 20%, from 472 in 1997 to 378 in 2002. It is likely that the target in relation to deaths will not be achieved. The target for the number of injuries (also a reduction of 20%) has already been achieved. The Government Strategy for Road Safety 1998-2002 is to be regarded as a large step forward in Irish road safety policy. The following elements of the Strategy are regarded as being positive: (a) the formulation of a national target; (b) the definition of a limited number of well-founded spearheads; (c) the policy co-ordination at the national level in the shape of a High-Level Group on Road Safety; and (d) the publication of an annual progress report. Judged by the policy results it must be concluded that the Irish ambitions have not completely been achieved. The Irish road safety policy strongly relies on positive effects of traffic enforcement and (strict) punishment of offenders. It also strongly relies on public information. The National Strategy gives many possibilities for improving road safety. However, one is also very conscious of the potential obstacles to further improvement. Ireland has started down the right road, and this road has been explored here and there, but not all opportunities are fully exploited. In the next Strategy large steps forward can be made.
Abstract