GDPR concerns delaying safety works on N25 in Wexford — ‘we can’t get real time data on road traffic collisions’

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

Efforts to improve safety on one of the most dangerous stretches of road in Wexford are being stymied by the Road Safety Authority’s (RSA) inability to release details of accidents.

Citing the section of the N25 between Drinagh and Killinick, Councillor Lisa McDonald expressed her disbelief that the RSA was withholding this information because of GDPR concerns.

District engineer Michael Brazzill confirmed that he and his team were being denied access to details of previous accidents.

“When we were exploring road safety works we used to receive that data, but it has subsequently been taken away from local authorities,” he said. “It’s very hard for us to come up with schemes now because we need to prove the number of accidents which have taken place in a given area. “

“This is very serious,” replied Cllr McDonald. “They can’t get the file off their desks and make a small amendment to the legislation; shame on them, they’re an absolute disgrace. They should be brought in here to explain to us why they can’t provide that information.”

Underlining the importance of carrying out safety measures on this part of the N25, Cllr Ger Carthy pointed to the number of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) travelling on it via Rosslare Europort.

“There’s 500,000 trailers coming out of Rosslare Europort annually, and we can’t get real time data on road traffic collisions,” he said. “We have an organisation overflowing with consultants and we can’t get the relevant data to fill in a report to put a case to the RSA.

“It has to justify the safety of the people on that road who are interacting with 500,000 truck movements yearly.”

Defending the RSA’s position, a spokesperson for the organisation said they were prohibited from releasing this data by law.

“Data cannot be shared with local authorities until such time as they have the legal basis to receive the data,” the RSA spokesperson said. “The Department of Transport is working on this matter through the National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) Bill.

“The RSA does have the legal basis in place to share data with the local authorities which can happen after enactment of the Bill. Data is also shared with the Department of Transport which uses the data to identify locations of interest and shares that information onwards.”