Treasury declares Road Safety Authority 'redundant'
Finance Ministry set to cut $55.7 million from National Road Safety Authority's budget despite increase in road accident fatalities
Despite an alarming rise in car and road accidents, which have claimed the lives of 296 people since the beginning of the year – a 5% rise – the Finance Ministry has decided to cut $55.7 million form the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) budget.
A second, $27.8 million cut, is to be made in the Transportation Ministry's development budget, normally used to improve road infrastructure and safety.
The Treasury explained the cuts, citing the NRSA had used only 70% of the funds allotted to it in 2007. the bureau's 2009 budget was suppose to increase to $153, in accordance with a decision made during former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's government.
"The best return possible from investing in road safety is in developing better, safer, road infrastructure," explained the budget brief. The brief went on to suggest turning the NRSA into an advisory body only. The 10% budget cut to the Transportation Ministry was explained as a need to meet budget deadlines and not exceed them.
Alarming rise in fatalities (Illustration Photo: Avihu Shapira)
The NRSA response was one of surprise, since according to their figures, they used 99.9% of their budget last year: "The Finance Ministry's claim is in complete contrast to the recommendations made by the Sheinin Committee for road safety – recommendations which were embraced by the government of Israel," it said in a statement.
Yair Dori, Chairman of the National Road Safety Authority, said that "it's sad that the people in Treasury continue to mislead the decision makers with figures for 2007 budget.
"The number of people who were killed in car accidents is what drove the government of Israel to create the NRSA, a move the Treasury objected to. The suggested cut is a cynical expression of the budget department's position and is detrimental to our ability to fight the number one cause of death in Israel – car accidents".
The Finance Ministry offered the following comment: "Despite the NRSA's claims, it did not use its entire budget in 2007. considering that the in the NRSA's first year there was an increase in car accident fatalities, we have to conclude that it is redundant."
The Transportation Ministry said that "cutting the budget cut is cutting back on human life." The Transportation Minister's Office stated that "Minister Mofaz will comment only after he studied the budget brief and then he will have plenty to say".
Shmuel Abuav, Chairman of Or-Yarok ("Green Light") was also upset at the proposed budget cut: "The suggestion made by the Finance Ministry is not only infuriating but also endangers lives.
"When the time comes for us to implement the recommendations made by the Sheinin Committee, and if the cuts indeed go through, we may find ourselves unable to do so."
