30 December 2010
Ring in the New Year safely, urges the RSA
As people nationwide prepare to ring in the New Year, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is urging road-users, today Friday 31st December, 2010, to stay safe on the roads and plan ahead to make sure they get home safely tonight.
Mr Noel Brett, Chief Executive, Road Safety Authority said: “Tonight, many people around the country will be heading out to ring in the New Year. It’s a night of celebration and we want people to enjoy themselves tonight but to do so safely. If you are heading out for drinks tonight, leave the car at home and designate a driver or get a taxi, minibus or public transport to get to your destination safely. Never accept a lift with a driver who has consumed alcohol or drugs. And remember that time is the only way to get alcohol out of your system so you may not be safe to drive the morning after a night out.”
“If you are driving tonight, make sure you and your passengers wear your seatbelts, even on short journeys. Don’t drive if you are feeling tired and never ever drink or drug drive. Watch out for pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists on the road and expect the unexpected. With the current weather conditions, you really do not know what is around the next corner so please drive carefully.”
The RSA is also asking pedestrians and cyclists to make sure they can be clearly seen on the roads by wearing high visibility reflective material such as an armband or high visibility jacket and to carry a torch if they are walking on roads in darkness.
As the year draws to a close, Mr Brett congratulated road-users for their part in helping to reduce road deaths even further in 2010 and asked them to continue their life-saving behaviour: “Because of the change in behaviour of many road-users, 2010 has seen another reduction in deaths on our roads and for this I thank the people and agencies who have contributed to saving the lives of others. As we look forward to a New Year, I ask you to continue this life-saving behaviour and ensure that your loved ones don’t needlessly suffer the grief and tragedy of another crashed life on the roads.”
For further information and road safety advice, visit www.rsa.ie
For further information, please contact:
RSA Communications Office: 096 - 25008