Criticising the Government’s inaction on road safety, he writes: “While lunatics behind the wheel continue to create mayhem, \u00ad\u00adapathy trumps action among lawmakers.”<\/p>\n
“Public relations campaigns by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and empty appeals for careful driving from ministers should not persuade us that there is a sense of urgency in the Government. There isn\u2019t.”<\/p>\n
“The criminals who kill on the roads must sense the Government\u2019s reluctance to act, and the consequent impotence of law enforcers.”<\/p>\n
“A dark, dishonourable blame game is being played between national politicians, local \u00adauthorities, state agencies and garda\u00ed.”<\/p>\n
The increase in road deaths has been noted as concerning by Mr Canney. “Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy,” he says. “Every death is one too many.”<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is especially worrying that we are seeing increases in fatalities among pedestrians and older people. In 2025, around 50 per cent more people over the age of 60 lost their lives on our roads than people under 30. This shows that road safety affects every age group and every community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Canney and his department have pledged a renewed focus on road safety, as well as a “shared responsibility” among all road users.<\/p>\n
\u201cRoad safety concerns us all, and improving it must involve us all. Alongside strong legislation and enforcement, we all have a personal responsibility – never drink or drug drive, always wear a seatbelt, never use a mobile phone while driving, slow down and avoid distraction. These actions save lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Government’s commitments include the Action Plan 2025 – 2027, which aims to halve road deaths and serious injuries this decade, and work towards Vision Zero – the elimination of all road deaths and injuries – by 2050. The plan focuses on the three Es of road safety – Enforcement, Education and Engineering – delivered in partnership with An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na and the Road Safety Authority.<\/p>\n
But Mr Ross also launches a direct criticism in his column at S\u00e9an Canney and Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien, who voted against the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill in 2017. The bill was introduced by Mr Ross and increased penalties for specific categories of drink-drivers.<\/p>\n
“Neither voted for the drink- driving reforms in 2017,” Mr Ross says. “Unfortunately, it is up to these two to determine how Ireland responds to the tragedies recurring today.”<\/p>\n
Key measures delivered so far by the Government include closing the loophole that allowed repeated renewal of learner permits without sitting a driving test, and reducing the default speed limit on rural local roads from 80km\/h to 60km\/h, covering approximately 80 per cent of the road network.<\/p>\n
Local authorities have also been directed to review existing speed limits in built-up and urban areas and, where appropriate, to introduce 30km\/h limits, with updated bye-laws to be completed by March 2027.<\/p>\n
Mr Canney also confirmed that work is progressing on the National Vehicle and Driver File Bill 2025, which is expected to be enacted in the first half of next year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis Bill will restore local authorities\u2019 direct access to collision data, allowing safety investment to be targeted at known blackspots. It will also implement recommendations arising from Judge Haughton\u2019s report on the tragic death of Shane O\u2019Farrell,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n
Further reforms are also being prepared, including graduated speeding penalties and camera-led enforcement of mobile phone and seatbelt offences.<\/p>\n
![\"Speeding](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/cc-rd-enforcement-operation-e1698931629602.jpg\")
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