Roads Policing Message 27/6/22

On this month’s Crimecall Chief Superintendent Michael Hennebry of the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau was in studio to raise awareness in relation to the increase in road fatalities and discuss the launch of the Garda Social Media Campaign, “Be a Lifesaver Road Safety' Campaign. 

The campaign is aimed at encouraging all motorists to slow down and for us all to influence loved ones to do likewise.

So far 83 people have died in road collisions in 2022, an increase of 32 on 2021. While the increase may partially be explained by a traffic volume reduction during the Covid pandemic, should recent trends continue, we could end up having one of the worst years in a decade, serving as a reminder, if one was needed, that we all need to change our behaviour on the roads. 

However, An Garda Síochána is acknowledging that we need the public’s support to make change happen and have decided to launch “Be a Lifesaver Road Safety Campaign.” The initiative aims to encourage all road users to consider and adjust their behaviour on the roads and to influence others in their family, social and community circles to do likewise. 

We are encouraging national and local influencers to post messages on their social media platforms encouraging people within their communities to “slow down”. It is envisaged that the social influencers will come from sporting, media, cultural, musical and other public backgrounds. Some such influencers, include football legend Paul McGrath, and singer ,song writer, radio and tv presenter, Nicky Byrne to name but a few, who gave their support to the campaign by posting a message. 

Michael highlighted speed as a critical contributory factor, to fatal road traffic collisions and that the World Health Organisation estimated that a 5% reduction in average speed could result in a 30% reduction in fatal collisions. The campaign is initially aimed at encouraging all motorists to slow down and for us all to influence loved ones to do likewise. 

While a driver may have a competent skill set ordinarily, should they choose to engage in some form of distraction, then invariably their ability to drive safely is seriously compromised. Some distraction examples include; holding a mobile phone, watching Netflix, eating breakfast and reading. All of which take the driver’s concentration away from the road. The non-use of seatbelts is another cause for concern and contributor to our road fatalities.

Apart from the social media aspect to the campaign, viewers were asked to challenge and influence the driving habits of a loved one, friend or family member. 

Finally, viewers were reminded that the effort to reduce road fatalities is everyone’s business and we should all take responsibility for our own driving habits. The word “behaviour” was said to be central to this new campaign and apart from the social media aspect to the campaign, viewers were asked to challenge and influence the driving of a loved one, friend or family member.