Safer Roads for Dublin Campaign - October – November 2014

SAFER ROADS FOR DUBLIN” CAMPAIGN

·        New campaign to make Dublin roads safer.
 

·        Pedestrians are the most vulnerable road user group in Dublin, accounting for 7 out of the 18 road deaths to date.
 

·        An Garda Síochána and partner stakeholders to target pedestrian road safety awareness.
 

·        Over 35,000 motorists detected speeding in the Dublin area.
 

Road fatalities have reduced significantly in the Dublin Region in recent years however Pedestrians still remain the single biggest group to die on Dublin roads. Since 2008, nearly 2 out of every 5 fatal road traffic collisions involved a pedestrian losing their life. To date in 2014, 7 of the 18 road fatalities were pedestrians.
 

In order to address this significant issue, and as part of a new road safety campaign entitled "SAFER ROADS FOR DUBLIN”, An Garda Síochána and partner stakeholders will specifically target pedestrians through social media, a poster campaign on public transport, the distribution of hi viz merchandise, and specific safety awareness initiatives, with a view to increasing their own road safety awareness and thus reducing the number of fatal and serious injury collisions involving pedestrians.
 

The campaign will be implemented on a 24/7 basis. The plan is receiving Multi-Agency support from the RSA, Transport Authorities (NTA and the NRA), Local Authorities (Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council, South Dublin County Council, and Dun Laoghaire/ Rathdown County Council) and Transport Stakeholders (Dublin Bus, LUAS, and the Irish Road Haulage Association). Each organisation is contributing in an effort to make our roads safer for all road users.
 

The Railway Procurement Agency in conjunction with Dublin City Council and An Garda Síochána will shortly introduce automated red light running detection on Benburb Street. Many thousands of commuters are inconvenienced every time the Luas trams are involved in an incident. There is also a very serious risk to life when these incidents occur. This can all be avoided if motorists/ pedestrians obey the traffic light signals. In the interim Gardai will operate in plain clothes and in uniform, monitoring compliance with traffic lights, in particular at Belgard, Amiens Street and Queen Street.  
 

Between January and September 2014, 35,932 motorists have been detected speeding in the Dublin region. An Garda Síochána have identified the top ten locations for speeding in the Dublin areas, (see appendix A),  i.e. the Swords Road, Whitehall where drivers have been identified travelling on average 28 km/h in excess of the posted limit. These locations in particular will receive targeted enforcement.
 

Chief Superintendent Aidan Reid said today:-
 

"19 people lost their lives in road traffic collisions in the Dublin area in 2013. To date in 2014, 18 people have already lost their lives. In a capital city with a population of over 1.5 million we have different challenges compared to other parts of the country. Our pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are most at risk, which increases when coming into contact with speeding vehicles**. Our "SAFER ROADS FOR DUBLIN” aims to protect every road user, but in particular the most vulnerable. All the local authorities, Public Transport providers, National Roads Authority and the Road Safety Authority are playing their part in this campaign.”
 

Chief Superintendent Aidan Reid stressed "Most importantly though, the public have a big part to play, and together we can save lives, reduce the number of casualties and make SAFER ROADS FOR DUBLIN. We appeal to every road user to help us make that happen”
 

Chief Superintendent Reid continued "So far this year in Dublin there has been in excess of 35,000 speeding detections, over 1,000 drivers arrested for intoxicated driving, 1,800 plus detections for not wearing a safety belt and nearly 7,000 drivers detected holding a mobile phone whilst driving - this is not safe driving for you or anyone else around you, and this risk taking will be targeted as part of the enforcement activities for this campaign.”
 

Notes: 
 

Breakdown of road fatalities and serious injuries 2014 (ytd)

Appendix A

The top ten speeding locations in the Dublin Region, based on speeding enforcement, and the average speed (km/h) over the limit applying to that location.
 

Fingal County Council – Celbridge Road (21) and Cappagh Road Finglas (23) 
 

South Dublin County Council – Naas Road (multiple locations ranging from 23 - 32), Ballycullen Road (27) and Dodder Park Road (26)
 

Dun Laoghaire/ Rathdown County Council – Drummartin Link Road (26) and Temple Hill Blackrock (26)
 

Dublin City Council – Dublin Port Tunnel (24), Swords Road, Whitehall (28) and Wolfe Tone Quay (21)

·        A number of garda districts, identified in the Plan, where increases in Fatal and Serious Injury Collisions have spiked, will receive particular attention.
 

·        The continued use of ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) vehicles during this operation. An Garda Síochána Analysis Service has identified a direct correlation between incidents of fatal/serious injury collisions where a disproportionate amount of drivers involved have a criminal record.  
 

·        Outlying Divisions, DMR West, North, South and East supported by DMR Traffic Division will provide high visibility and enforcement activity during peak hours 7am to 9.30am in the morning, Monday to Friday, as motorists enter inbound 50kph zones from High Volume Arterial Routes. Evening patrols will reverse this procedure, from 4pm to 7.00pm, concentrating from the inner Divisional limits on –outbound routes.
 

·        Inner City Divisions, DMR North Central, South Central and supported by DMR Traffic Division will provide high visibility and enforcement activity during peak hours in the evening, Monday to Friday, as motorists pass from 30kph and 50kph zones outbound towards High Volume Arterial Routes.
 

·        Special Road Safety Operations will be targeted at key offences which contribute to fatal and serious injury collisions;

Ø      These will consist of high visibility MAT checkpoints with a view to maximising the number of drivers breath tested and providing a strong deterrent during the October Bank Holiday Weekend

Ø      The Road Safety Unit will co-ordinate a series of interactive awareness initiatives to educate vulnerable road users. "HGV Awareness Days” will offer the public a chance get a birds eye view from the cab of a HGV, as well as hi viz merchandise being distributed at each location. 
 

·        Speed detection equipment in both marked and unmarked vehicles will be utilised and in tandem with planned operations.

 
·        The 50 kph speed limits is strictly enforced on inbound routes in the morning and outbound in the evenings paying particular attention to Public Service Vehicle’s and motorcycles using bus lanes.
 

·        LUAS Red Light Enforcement - Benburb Street/ Amiens Street/ Belgard and Queen Street.