Tag Archives: road safety

CLARE gardaí are urging motorists not to take risks on the roads this August Bank Holiday weekend, insisting, “it’s just not worth it”. The Garda Road Safety Campaign will run until Monday. Sergeant Joe Downey, Clare Crime Prevention Officer, said, “We are appealing to all road users to take extra care on the roads, as there will be an increase in the volume of traffic using our roads, especially this weekend. “Slow down, wear your seat belts, do not consume anything which may impair your driving, be well rested and, pedestrians and cyclists, wear appropriate high-visibility clothing when out and about.” He added that drivers should make sure that their vehicle is road worthy, especially in relation to tyres. “Worn tyres are a source of danger, especially if you have to brake hard,” he said. In relation to speed, he commented, “Remember, speed limits are a legal maximum and not a target to reach and may not be appropriate when …

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána are asking all road users to act responsibly and safely on the roads over the St Patrick’s Day festival period. In particular, drivers are being warned of the dangers of driving the morning after a night of drinking where their driving could still be significantly impaired by alcohol. In the five year period 2011-2015 a total of 15 people lost their lives and a further 34 people were seriously injured in road collisions between March 16-18. Ms Moyagh Murdock, chief Executive of the RSA said, “St Patrick’s Festival is traditionally a time for people to enjoy a break from work, school or college, and enjoy the festivities around the country. We’re not suggesting that people don’t enjoy themselves but we would urge people to act safely and responsibly, particularly when it comes to alcohol and road use. If you decide to go out for the night, leave the car at home …

The Road Safety Authority, is asking road users to exercise caution while using the roads, as Met Éireann have issued an Orange weather warning for Donegal, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo and Clare until tomorrow night. Southerly winds veering southwest of mean speeds of 60 to 65km/h gusting 100 to 110km/h are expected, with stronger winds of mean speeds of 65 to 80km/h, with gusts of 120km/h at times between 4pm and 9pm. The RSA is asking road users to take extra care in these strong winds and have issued the following advice: • Beware of objects being blown out onto the road. Expect the unexpected. Watch out for falling/fallen debris on the road and vehicles veering across the road • Control of a vehicle may be affected by strong cross winds. High sided vehicles and motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to strong winds • Allow extra space between you and vulnerable road users such as cyclists and motorcyclists • Drive with dipped headlights at …

Clare County Council has issued a road safety alert following Met Éireann’s weather warning of heavy rainfall and the risk of flooding overnight Thursday and up to early Saturday. An Orange Rainfall Alert has been put in place for Clare as well as Connacht, Donegal, Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary. Met Éireann says widespread, very heavy rain, with some thundery downpours will develop Thursday night and persist through Friday, leading to spot flooding and possibly accumulations of 35 to 50mm, but up to 70mm possibly on hilly ground and on mountains. Clare County Council says motorists should drive with extreme caution and should allow extra time for journeys during the period. When driving in wet conditions drivers are reminded to drive with dipped headlights at all times, allow extra distance between their vehicle and the vehicle in front, allow extra space between their vehicle and vulnerable road users such as cyclists and motorcyclists, and to not attempt driving through flooded …

Over the weekend and into St Patrick’s Day, An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority have cautioned all road users, but in particular drivers and pedestrians, to act responsibly and show restraint. “With many schools closed, many families will take the opportunity to travel to different parts of the country over the next few days. It is every road users responsility to ensure that the roads are safe for all,” Chief Superintendent Mark Curran, Garda National Traffic Bureau said. To date, 29 people have tragically lost their lives on Irish roads, five road deaths less than this date last year. 196 people lost their lives on Irish roads in 2014. Newly released figures show that over the past five years, on average, twice as many drivers have been arrested on suspicion of drink or drug driving on both St Patrick’s Day and the day after, compared to any other day in the month of March. In addition, 15 people lost their lives and a further …

New measures to deter and detect driving under the influence of drugs have been announced by Transport Minister, Paschal Donohoe. In revealing the details of the new legislation, the Minister said, “’We have, as a country, come a long way in recent years in the struggle to improve road safety, and especially to combat drunk driving. However, figures for road deaths last year went up for the first time since 2005, and, unfortunately, this year to date, we have seen a further increase in collisions and deaths compared to the same period in 2013. “We must keep up the pressure on a range of fronts to reduce these numbers. Road safety depends on a great many factors, and driving while intoxicated is one of the most serious. As a culture, we have moved away from the casual acceptance of drunk driving which once prevailed. However, we still have some way to go if we aspire to eliminating drunk and drug …

REPRESENTATIVES of the Killaloe Municipal District welcomed the provision of speed control signs in Ogonnelloe and Tuamgraney but requests to roll them out elsewhere came with a warning that each sign costs approximately €5,000. Councillor Pat Burke raised the issue in a motion that highlighted the effectiveness of the speed control measures introduced in Ogonnelloe and Tuamgraney recently. He asked would Clare County Council consider installing these measures at other villages, particularly on busy regional roads. Responding to the motion, Pat Henchy, executive engineer at the Killaloe Municipal District, said the council is well disposed to provide further speed warning devices but advised this was “all dependent on availability of funding”. He told members at the meeting he was not entirely sure what the cost was for the electronic signs, which flash the speed one is travelling at, but it was in the region of €5,000 per unit. Councillor Burke said the signs were “very effective warning signs and people …

The Road Safety Authority is advising drivers and motorcycle riders to take extra care using the roads, as the dry weather spell breaks and heavy rain is expected across the country over the coming days. During a prolonged dry spell a build-up of oil and rubber deposit develops on the road. When the weather breaks, this deposit mixes with rainwater and the road becomes hazardous. The resulting greasy road surface increases stopping distances and the risk of a skid. Drivers and motorcycle riders can get caught out by this change in road conditions so the advice is to slow down and increase braking distance. Met Eireann are also warning that accumulations of rain water may lead to excess surface water on roads and some spot-flooding in places.