Gardaí Issue Warning To Road Users

Gardaí have issued a warning and fresh advice to drivers over the upcoming bank holiday.

Over the last nine years, 43 people lost their lives on Irish roads over the October bank holiday weekend, with three people losing their lives last year.

Provisional statistics provided by Gardaí today show that a total of 189 people lost their lives in traffic collisions so far this year.

Almost one third of the fatalities have been vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists or motorcyclists, and with the clocks going back and the nights becoming longer Gardaí have advised vulnerable road users to ensure they can be clearly seen by using high visibility clothing and reflective material.

A spokesman said: "Pedestrians and cyclists must be road wise and avoid walking or cycling where they can't be clearly seen. Driving safely is paramount to the safety of vulnerable road users and we appeal to all motorists to remember that vehicle lighting is not just for the hours of darkness.

"Using dipped headlights can make it easier to identify oncoming vehicles in the distance and is an effective low cost method of reducing daytime collisions."

Gardaí also released statistics today showing that a Danish study found a 6% reduction in daytime multiple-vehicle collisions and a 34% reduction in left-turn collisions when using dipped headlights, while in the United States, a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that the use of ‘Daytime Running Lights’ resulted in a 12% reduction of fatal collisions with pedestrians and cyclists.

Chief Superintendent Gabriel McIntyre from the Garda National Traffic Bureau said “I appeal to all road users, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and drivers to take responsibility for their own safety. Ensure visibility on the roads through the use of lights and, where appropriate, high visibility clothing.

"Always drive within the speed limit and at a speed appropriate to the road and weather conditions, never drink and drive, always wear a seatbelt and ensure young children use child restraints. Drivers should be conscious that fatigue is a cause of road collisions so those taking long journeys should ensure they take breaks while en route to their destination."

(DW/BMcC)