The Casualty Reduction Strategy was launched on the 1st October and will run for 8 weeks. Its aim is to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured in the Dublin area.
As an educational initiative, An Garda Síochána distributed an assortment of high visibility merchandise to vulnerable roads users on Dame Street today on Friday 2nd November 2012 between 12.30pm and 1.30pm.
200 LED bicycle lights and 180 high visibility bags, 100 high visibility belts were provided to pedal cyclists at this event.
The response from the public was very positive and a number of images are available on the Garda web site.
In particular a limited supply of highly visible LED bicycle lights, which have been provided by the NTA, were distributed to cyclists who require them for their bicycles and who wish to improve their road safety whilst being compliant with Road Traffic laws.
The 4 Dublin Local Authorities, our partner stakeholders in the Casualty Reduction Strategy, have also been issued with a limited supply of these bicycle lights are they will also be distributing them in various ways throughout this campaign, i.e. in schools, by school wardens, to 3rd level institutions and through competitions such as on Traffic FM.
As with all these items, supplies are limited, and will be issued on a need basis by operational members on routine patrol.
Speaking on Dame Street today Supt Declan Good, DMR Traffic said: "There are 2 aspects to why we are carrying out this initiative today, and giving out hi viz merchandise and bicycle lights. Firstly the simple fact is that they enable you to see and be seen plus there is a legal requirement for lights front and back of your bicycle at night.”
Supt Good continued: - "We must thank both the RSA and the NTA for providing this high visibility merchandise which we are gladly giving out to our vulnerable road users to assist us with our overall strategy of reducing fatalities and serious injuries in the Dublin Region.
We know "Be Safe Be Seen” is more than just a catch phrase, it is saving lives on our roads”
To date in the Dublin Region there have been 10 fatalities, compared to 9 for this period last year 2011.
They are broken down as follows:-
3 Pedestrians
3 Drivers
1 Passenger
2 Motorcyclists
1 Pedal Cyclist
Similarly there have been 46 serious injury collisions compared to 47 for this period last year.
On a National basis there have been 143 fatalities to date, compared to 150 for this period last year.
Summary of 2011 October/ November Casualty Reduction campaign
1018 MAT Checkpoints performed
67 Fixed Charge Penalty Notices in 30 kph zone
2737 Fixed Charge Penalty Notices in 50 kph zone
1472 Mobile phone offences
377 Seatbelt Offences
198 Pedal cycle operations resulting in 428 summonse
Garda Press Office
