Drive safer this bank holiday weekend

Gardaí urge road users to be safe and be seen on roads

With the clocks going back this weekend – meaning darker mornings and evenings – the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána have urged road users to ensure they can be clearly seen when out on the roads. The most effective way to do so is to wear high visibility clothing such as a hi-vis vest or a Sam Browne belt when walking, cycling or on a motorbike and by ensuring you have working lights on your vehicle.

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross, TD, said: “The evenings will get much darker from this weekend on, so it is even more important that pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists wear high visibility clothing when out on the road. “Don’t put your life, or the lives of others, at risk by making it difficult for other road-users to see you.”

The RSA has conducted a survey of the attitudes and behaviour of more than 1,000 road users towards wearing high visibility clothing and found that they have improved. More than a third (41%) of pedestrians said they always or often wear reflective gear when out walking. The survey also found that those living in rural areas were more likely to wear high visibility gear than those in urban areas (43% versus 16%).

RSA chief executive Moyagh Murdock said: “It is encouraging to see that high visibility wearing rates are increasing among motorcyclists and cyclists. “It is critical that road users ensure they are visible to others, every time they go out for a walk, cycle or on the bike. “Don’t leave it to chance or expect other road users to see you – it might be too late before they do.

For parents and guardians, if your child walks or cycles to school, make sure they can be seen by ensuring they wear reflective clothing and have working lights on their bicycles. “If your child gets the bus to school, it’s also important that they can be seen at the bus stop by the bus driver and other road users.”

The RSA and An Garda Síochána are also urging motorists to ensure their lights are in working order. A study conducted by the RSA found that vehicles with at least one defective light were more prevalent on rural roads than urban roads, and vehicles were more likely to have defective front lights (5%) than rear lights (3%).

Thumbs up campaign
The Westmeath Examiner is one of a number of weekly papers across the country that are running a Thumbs Up to Road Safety campaign.
A survey conducted as part of the Thumbs Up campaign ahead of the August bank holiday weekend found that 63% believed speed limits needed to be reviewed in their areas; 90% thought that there needed to be stricter punishments for drivers who use their mobiles while driving; and 97% stated there needed to be more mutual respect on Irish roads among drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

The aim of the campaign is to bring awareness to everyone using the roads, particularly over a bank holiday, as there is so much more traffic on the roads then, with safety tips, information, asking for a commitment to be better and more respectful road users. If this saves a life or saves someone from life changing injuries by reinforcing these messages, then the campaign will be a success, said the organisers.

Colm Smith, road safety officer with Westmeath County Council, reiterated the advice offered by the transport minister above, adding a particular word of caution about the dark evenings and the dangers of low visibility thanks to the weather at this time of the year.

Give the Thumbs Up to safe driving this October Bank Holiday by filling out our quick survey and sharing it with your friends to be in with a chance of winning a Motoring Voucher! Take the survey here!