Gardaí Launch Back To School Road Safety Appeal

Gardaí have launched an appeal to drivers to remain road safet conscientious as the school term resumes after the summer break.

The campaign, launched today, asks driver to remember that schools are reopening and a change in light and road conditions require greater care by all.

Assistant Commissioner Eddie Rock, Garda National Traffic Bureau speaking at Garda Headquarters said: "Voluntary compliance by road users is crucial in reducing the incidence of serious and fatal collisions.

"We appeal therefore to all drivers, to their parents, wives, husbands, girlfriends, boyfriends and to the wider community, to remind their friends and loved ones of the need to act responsibly on our roads."

The capaign has also highlighted that over the summer, fatal collisions have seen a downward trend and Gardaí expressed hope that the pattern continues.

Up to the end of August, 163 people lost their lives in road traffic collisions compared to 198 during the same period last year, a difference of 35 lives.

A spokesman said An Garda Siochana wished to acknowledge the contribution to road safety by road users who exercise care and consideration in their driving and use of the roads.

"Many road users have changed their behaviour, and the downward trend has come about through greater compliance with road traffic laws.

"In addition, drink driving is no longer socially acceptable and as a result designated drivers and the use of public transport have become the norm when people socialize," the spokesman said.

He added that there is also a significant connection between the change in behaviour and the reduced number of collisions and fatalities, with the introduction of Mandatory Alcohol Testing (MAT) checkpoints.

Assistant Commissioner Rock said that Garda would continue with targeted enforcement to ensure that those errant road users, who place their own lives and those of other road users at risk, are made "amenable for their actions.”

Figures released by Gardaí showed that this year, to the end of August, less than 30,000 collisions had been reported, which is a decrease of 13% on the same period in 2008, when almost 33,400 collisions were reported.

(DW/BMcc)