Tag Archives: RSA

WITH road deaths nationwide in 2022 up almost 50% on the same period in 2021 a special safety appeal has been launched ahead of the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. The Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána launched the appeal in light of the worrying increase in fatalities on the roads – 50 so far this year. The campaign appeals to all road users to slow down, wear seatbelts, not to drive when impaired, or distracted – particularly by illegally using your phone while driving – or when tired. While the RSA and An Garda Síochána have issued a general appeal for road users to take greater care on the road this Easter Bank Holiday there will also be focus on drug driving. An Garda Síochána figures for the full year 2021 saw over 3,300 arrests for Drug-Driving. The number of arrests in 2022, up to 31 March, is 768. Analysis by the Medical Bureau of Road Safety (MBRS) shows …

PEOPLE getting their driving licences renewed in Ennis and Limerick are being treated very rudely, this week’s meeting of Clare County Council heard. Several of the members had stories of people being belittled as they sought to renew their licences, while it was claimed that the service to the public was far better when it was provided by local authorities rather than the Road Safety Authority. Councillor Gerry Flynn introduced a motion calling on the Minister for Transport and Government “to urgently address the many issues and problems experienced by members of the public in Clare when accessing the delivery of Driver Licences”. During the course of the discussion there was absolute consensus that the current situation is not acceptable. Many Clare people are having to use a centre at the Parkway in Limerick and independent Michael Begley said the service is very poor. “On two occasions, both myself and my wife had to make three attempts to eventually get …

GARDAÍ in Clare are urging people to stay cautious on their staycation. With holiday makers looking forward to a summer break at home, the Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána have launched a campaign urging road users to ensure that they stay safe on the road. “We want people to enjoy their summer holidays. If you are planning a staycation, please ensure you plan your journey in advance, take frequent breaks and do not allow any distractions while driving. Ensure everyone in your vehicle is wearing their safety belt and make sure all children are in a suitable safety seat,” says Clare Crime Prevention Officer Sergeant Triona Brooks. “Be mindful of vulnerable road users, such as pedestrians, horse riders, cyclists and motor cyclists. Park safely and legally when visiting beaches, beauty spots as well as other public amenities. Parking illegally can lead to unnecessary risk and dangers such as forcing pedestrians to walk on busy roads. It is important …

AHEAD of the May Bank Holiday Weekend, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána are reminding motorcyclists to ease off the throttle and keep within the speed limit as we enter the high risk summer period for motorcycling. Previous RSA research has shown that bikers speeding is a factor in half (49%) of motorcyclist fatal collisions. Preliminary results from a recent RSA survey of 450 motorcyclists, found that 12% of participants reported having been involved in a road collision in the past two years while three in five (59%) had a near miss in the same period. July was found to be the most dangerous month for collisions involving motorcyclists. The RSA and Gardaí are also highlighting the misuse of quad bikes and scramblers on the road and in public spaces such as parks. These vehicles pose particular dangers to young people; three of the four people who died in Ireland as a result of an incident involving …

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána are appealing to motorcycle riders to ‘Bike Safe’ as the risk to riders’ safety is set to increase over the summer months. An examination of forensic collision investigation files published in 2016 by the RSA found that almost a third of motorcyclists involved in fatal collisions between 2008 and 2012 had consumed alcohol and that bikers speeding was a factor is almost half of all motorcyclist deaths. While the majority of motorcycle riders are absolutely aware of their vulnerability when biking, some may not be so safety conscious. Younger riders on powerful machines need to appreciate the risk they face and take all necessary precautions to ensure their safety. The RSA study also found that half of the 80 motorcyclists deemed culpable for the collision were aged between 25 and 34 years old. The message from the RSA and gardaí to these bikers is to never drink drive. You simply cannot …

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) welcomed the announcement by An Garda Síochána that 87 new gardaí have been appointed to Roads Policing Units. Chief executive Moyagh Murdock said, “The allocation is the first increase in Garda numbers deployed to front line road safety enforcement since 2010. Progress was made in reducing deaths in 2017 but it is vital that road safety is given the necessary prioritisation by the Garda Commissioner, to ensure that the improvement can be continued in 2018 and beyond. “The increase in garda personnel assigned to roads policing duties was initially called out in the Garda Policing Plan 2017, which committed to an increase of 10% to the then number of 681 gardaí, and is one of the main actions identified in the recent Mid Term Review of the Government Road Safety Strategy 2013 to 2020,” she said. “This action requires a 10% year on year increase in numbers up to 2020, which should bring total garda …

Provisional road collision statistics for 2017, published by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) following an analysis of fatal collision reports supplied by An Garda Síochána, show that there has been a 15% drop in road deaths in 2017 compared to 2016. Up to the December 31, 2017 a total of 158 people lost their lives on Ireland’s roads as a result of 143 fatal crashes, compared to 186 lives lost in 174 fatal crashes in 2016. This represents 28 fewer fatalities or a 15% drop in deaths and 31 fewer fatal crashes or an 18% drop in fatal crashes. 2017 was also be the safest year on Ireland’s roads since road deaths were first recorded in 1959. Previously, 2015 (with 162 deaths) was the safest year on record. Mr Shane Ross, Minister for Transport, Tourism observed, “It is very encouraging to see that we have reversed the upward trend in road deaths witnessed in 2016. The combined focus on improved …

Gardaí in Clare are encouraging the county’s motorists to take the pledge and help make this Thursday European Day Without a Road Death. An Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority (RSA), and the AA are some of the organisations that are getting behind the Project EDWARD safety initiative project. Project EDWARD takes place for the second year in a row on Thursday. According to a spokesperson for An Garda Síochána in Ennis, “There’s no excuse not to exercise safety on the roads anytime you get behind the wheel, but drivers throughout Ireland and the continent are being urged to be particularly careful this coming Thursday. The long-term aim is to spearhead significant and sustained reduction in death and serious injury on roads across the world.” Motorists are being urged to get behind the initiative by taking a road safety pledge and promising to take the following measures later this week. Road safety pledge: I promise that I will: · Remind …