DoT & RSA Issue Joint Road Safety Appeal Ahead of the August Bank Holiday Weekend
Back to List03/08/2007
Archived item. This item is published here for historical reasons. The information below may be out of date.
Mr. Noel Dempsey, T.D., Minister for Transport urged all motorists taking to the road this August bank holiday weekend to drive with extra care and to arrive safely.
"We are approaching another busy bank holiday weekend with increased numbers on our roads. I’m urging motorists to avoid taking any chances with innocent lives and to slow down, buckle up and never drink and drive. Every road death is tragic and unnecessary. Together with the Road Safety Authority and the Garda Síochána I am asking all motorists taking to the road this weekend to be especially vigilant and to travel safely. While the number of road deaths is down by 37 from the start of this year compared to the same period last year people are still dying on our roads. One careless moment on the road and it could all be over. Don’t take that chance.”
Mr. Declan Naughton, Acting CEO, Road Safety Authority also urged caution in the run up to the bank holiday weekend.
“Tragically a total of 24 people lost their lives and 62 were seriously injured in August bank holiday crashes in this country since 2002. Don’t add to this toll of misery because of a moment’s stupidity on the roads. Think of the consequences, do you want your loved one to get the dreaded knock on the door of your family home as the Gardai deliver heart breaking news? If we take greater care and remember that using the roads is the most dangerous thing we do each day, then more of us will arrive alive at our destinations over the bank holiday weekend.”
Mr. Naughton also urged vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists to take greater care on the roads by always wearing high visibility reflective material to ensure they are visible to other road users.
Advice for those travelling by road over the weekend:
Drivers
• Always drive at an appropriate speed for the conditions and circumstances
• Don’t tailgate. Keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front
• Never drive while impaired by alcohol, drugs or tiredness
• Wear a seat belt and ensure all passengers front and rear are wearing theirs too
• Set off as early as possible to avoid heavy traffic
• Take frequent breaks to avoid tiredness / driver fatigue
• Expect the unexpected!
Pedestrians
• Walk on a footpath, not in the street
• Walk on the right hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths
• At night on country roads carry a torch to see better and be seen clearly
• Wear bright clothing with reflective armbands or a "Sam Brown" belt
• Avoid excessive alcohol consumption
Editors Note:
A total of 201 lives have been lost to date in 2007 compared to 238 to the same date in 2006.
ENDS
For further information please contact.
Brian Farrell, Communications Manager, RSA, Mobile 086 3881009
Or
Rachael O’Brien, Communications Dept, RSA, 096 - 25132
or
Ger Kenny, Carr Communications, 087 – 2488393