Assistant Commissioner Traffic, Kevin Ludlow, has made a direct appeal to drivers to travel safely over the Christmas period.
“Over the next two weeks people will be travelling on our roads to join friends and family for Christmas and the New Year. I want to appeal to them to take care on the roads and ensure they arrive at their destinations safely. It is important that drivers slow down, don’t drink and drive and wear their seat belts.”
The Garda Road Safety Campaign for the Christmas and New Year Period has been in operation since 22nd November 2009 with targeted enforcement in the following key areas:
- Driving under the influence of an intoxicant
- Speeding
- Non wearing of Safety Belts
- Referring to the number of people killed on the roads this year,
Assistant Commissioner Ludlow said:
“To date this year, the 18th December 2009, 234 people have been killed on our roads in 216 collisions. Many more have suffered life changing injuries. While the number of lives lost is lower than last year, one death is one too many and we all have a role to play in reducing road deaths.
Our focus is on changing driver behaviour. As has been said many times before, An Garda Síochána’s objective is not to catch people speeding or drinking and driving rather we want to stop people speeding or drinking and driving and engaging in reckless behaviour that endangers their own lives and those of other people in the community. However, our message is clear: we are targeting our enforcement activity and if people choose to break the law, they will be caught.”
Assistant Commissioner Ludlow also made a special appeal to pedestrians:
“Almost one fifth of people killed on our roads are pedestrians. This winter I would ask pedestrians and cyclists to ensure they can be seen on the roads by wearing high visibility or fluorescent clothing. Motorists need to be conscious of both pedestrians and cyclists using the roads.”
Key Road Safety Issues
Alcohol continues to be a major concern in terms of fatalities and serious injuries on our roads. International research indicates that alcohol is a contributory factor in up to 40% of road collisions; in Ireland it has been found to be a factor in 36% of fatal collisions (2003 to 2005). Members of An Garda Siochana will be carrying out Road Safety enforcement operations in every Region consisting of high visibility patrols and Mandatory Alcohol Testing Checkpoints.
Analysis of road fatalities for 2009 reveals that almost one fifth of those killed on our roads were pedestrians. Pedestrians, cyclists and other such road users must take steps to ensure their safety on the roads and wear high visibility and fluorescent clothing. Motorists are urged to be extra vigilant and more conscious of pedestrians and cyclists on the roads.
Drivers must drive within the speed limits but also be conscious that road and weather conditions may require driving at a lower speed. Speed limits are the maximum speed allowed but may not always be appropriate when other conditions such as poor weather, ice etc. are taken into account.
Drivers are urged to plan all journeys, check that their vehicles, lights etc are in working order and if they feel tired while driving they should stop in a safe place and take a short break.
Garda Press Office
