§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has for improving road safety in Northern Ireland. [24318]
§ Mr. MossThe Government will publish Northern Ireland's first road safety plan later this year, which is intended to increase the effectiveness of their road casualty reduction measures by providing a more strategic approach to the planning, co-ordination and delivery of road safety activities. Strong emphasis will continue to be placed on road safety education and publicity and on enforcement of traffic law. Increased resources have been provided and further increases planned, for accident remedial measures and traffic calming schemes at locations where accidents are known to occur.
Northern Ireland's road traffic legislation is being strengthened and brought more closely in line with the rest of the United Kingdom; legislative proposals include the introduction of a penalty points scheme for traffic offences.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what comparison he has made between road safety standards in Northern Ireland and those in the rest of the United Kingdom. [24321]
§ Mr. MossRoad safety standards, when measured in terms of accident, death and casualty rates, are published annually in "Northern Ireland Transport Statistics". This publication is available from the House of Commons Library. These statistics permit comparisons between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom and are summarised in the tables.
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Table 2.8: Road traffic casualties Per 100,000 population Per 10,000 vehicles Year N. Ireland England Scotland Wales N. Ireland England Scotland Wales 1984 564 604 508 504 173 156 181 141 1985 554 586 531 492 184 149 187 134 1986 603 593 510 512 200 147 175 136 1987 631 574 484 504 203 140 156 131 1988 695 592 499 531 219 138 152 132 1989 733 623 540 563 224 140 158 136 1990 740 611 534 571 217 135 150 134 1991 644 562 496 521 185 126 137 125 1992 696 562 473 508 195 125 127 120 1993 680 555 438 493 189 123 116 115 Source: DOE (NI). RUC, DOE (L), Scottish Office, Welsh Office.