Tag Archives: RSA

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 …

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is advising all road users to take extreme care when using the roads, as Met Éireann has issued an orange weather alert warning of winds of up to 65 to 80 km/h for exposed coastal and hilly areas of Clare, Limerick, Galway, Donegal, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo, Cork and Kerry until Tuesday morning. There will be high seas and some high tides and coastal flooding is possible. Winds will veer westerly during the afternoon (Monday) and northwesterly overnight. The RSA also advises road users to: • Beware of objects being blown out onto the road and to expect the unexpected. In particular 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. • Drivers should allow extra space around vulnerable road users such as cyclists and motorcyclists as they may …

The Road Safety Authority has renewed its appeal for all road users to take extra care, following the deaths of four young women in a crash near Athy, County Kildare on Tuesday night. The RSA recently expressed serious concern following a rise in road deaths in 2014, the second consecutive yearly increase in deaths. It’s been an equally tragic and poor start for road safety in 2015. Ms Moyagh Murdock, CEO, RSA said, “Already we have lost six lives on the country’s roads in the first seven days of 2015. It’s been an appalling start to the year and mirrors exactly the situation at same time last year. If anything should come from such loss of life, it’s that it may serve as a reminder to us all that using the road is the most dangerous thing we do every day. All it takes is a split second for a situation to turn to tragedy. “I would appeal to all …

The Road Safety Authority’s end of year report shows that for the second consecutive year, deaths resulting from road traffic collisions on Irish roads have increased. A total of 196 people have lost their lives in 2014, compared to 190 in 2013, a 3% rise. However, it represents a 21% increase when compared to the 162 road deaths that occurred in 2012, the safest year on Irish roads. Ms Liz O’Donnell, chairperson, RSA, said, “196 precious lives ended on our roads in 2014. That’s six more than last year. These people are gone forever. For their loved ones they are not consigned to year end statistics.” Appealing to all road users Ms. O’Donnell added, “There are small changes we all can make which are guaranteed to prevent collisions. Guaranteed to reduce consequences. And to reduce the number of tragedies on our roads, from the very moment we begin to make those changes. So I appeal to all road users in …

The Road Safety Authority today (Wednesday) is renewing its appeal for road users to be aware of the dangers posed by dense fog, following an updated Orange Weather Warning from Met Éireann. The warning’s in place for Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Dublin, Kildare, Longford, Louth, Westmeath, Meath, Leitrim and Roscommon today until tomorrow morning but other areas might also be affected. Moyagh Murdock, CEO, Road Safety Authority said, “Heavy fog seriously reduces your visibility and makes driving very dangerous. Our advice is to switch on dipped headlights and fog lamps, reduce your speed and keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front. If the fog closes in, reduce your speed further and take your time getting to your destination. Open your window a little so you can listen out for other road users, particularly at junctions. Vulnerable road users should avoid, cycling or walking in fog unless it is a necessity.” All road users are advised to listen to weather …

Ennis will host the very first Light Up The Night safety campaign event on this Thursday evening. The main focus of this campaign is to educate all vulnerable road users on how to be visible to traffic. The campaign is to ensure that all road users not only wear high visibility clothing but clothing that is reflective also. The campaign will begin at 6pm with a Light Up Your Bike safety workshop on the ground floor of Unit 1 , Westgate Business Park , Kilrush Road (across from World of Wonder). The RSA will be providing free high visibilty and reflective gear, as well as a free set of lights to all vulnerable road users. The workshop will be followed by a cycle of Ennis by-pass or the N85 Western Relief Road. “We are asking the runners and walkers of the Ennis area to put on your high visibility reflective gear and come out  and support this idea and help …

Clare parents are being advised they can have their child’s car seat checked free of charge, as research from the Road Safety Authority shows that as many as four out of five child car seats are incorrectly fitted nationwide. Since October 2013, the RSA’s Check it Fits Service has checked over 4,000 child car seats and restraints in Ireland. Of these, 83% required some adjustment. Worryingly, 79% of seats required a major adjustment of which 3% were deemed not fit for purpose and condemned, meaning they could have caused injury or even death in the event of a collision. To highlight the issue of child safety in cars in Clare, the Check it Fits’ team will check child car seats and restraints to ensure they are correctly fitted in the following locations: Queally SuperValu, Francis Street, Kilrush on Friday, November 7 from 10am to 5.30pm; Queally SuperValu, Convent Hill, Killaloe next day and Lynchs Centra, Gort Road, Ennis on Tuesday, November …

Met Éireann has issued an orange weather alert across the country on Tuesday, and the public are being warned to expect thunderstorm activity along with widespread heavy and thundery showers . Some of these will be intense thundery downpours and may lead to flash flooding in places as a result the Road Safety Authority (RSA) have urged road users to take extra care when using the roads. The RSA has advised when driving in these wet and windy conditions it takes longer to stop a vehicle on wet roads and as such motorists should slow down and allow extra distance between you and the vehicle in front. The roads authority also warns motorists to take special care when driving behind goods vehicles as they generate a considerable amount of spray leading to reduced visibility. Motorists are also encouraged to allow extra space between them and vulnerable road users such as cyclists and motorcyclists, and to drive with dipped headlights at …