10 May 2011
European Report Highlights Ireland’s Progress in Reducing Pedestrian, Cyclist and Motorcycle Casualties
Ireland’s efforts to improve road safety have been acknowledged yet again at a European level. The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) has published a report (PIN Flash – 19), today 10th May 2011, that compares EU Member States’ progress in reducing deaths among pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists over the past decade.
The report is being published by the ETSC to mark the launch of UN Decade of Action for Road Safety tomorrow Wednesday 11th May 2011.
At least 15,300 pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists were killed in the EU in 2009, and 169,000 since 2001.
Research highlights Ireland’s success in achieving a significant reduction in vulnerable road user deaths. In the last decade (2001 to 2010) recorded deaths of pedal cyclists and motorcyclists have dropped 75% and 66% respectively. Last year alone, fatalities among motorcyclists fell by 32% compared to 2009 figures. Pedestrian deaths fell by 54% in the last decade.
According to the ETSC report progress in reducing pedestrian deaths in Ireland and the Czech Republic, and to a lesser extent France and GB, has been helped by a reduction in mean speed on urban roads.
“In Ireland, drivers have slowed down markedly in cities. But the mean speed is still 54km/h with 53% of vehicles exceeding the limit. In residential areas, the mean speed is now 35km/h with only 4% of vehicles exceeding 50km/h, suggesting that there is scope to follow many other European cities by reducing the speed limit to 30km/h.”
In relation to motorcycle safety the report says, “Portugal, Latvia, Ireland, Belgium, Germany, Slovenia, Switzerland and Spain achieved better than average reductions in both the number of killed and seriously injured motorcycle riders since 2001.”
Mr. Noel Brett, Chief Executive Officer, Road Safety Authority welcomed the report and praised road users in Ireland for their behaviour which has lead to a drop in vulnerable road user deaths. However he cautioned, “There is still an unacceptable price being paid on our roads. In particular the Board of the RSA are very concerned at the number of motorcyclists that have died on our roads. Seven motorcyclists have to date in 2011. This represents a doubling in the number of motorcycle deaths compared to the same time last year. I would strongly urge all motorcyclists to take extra care when using the roads. Remember that you are vulnerable and have far less protection than a car driver. Therefore it’s vital that you are wearing good personal protection equipment, from head to toe. While the RSA introduced compulsory Initial Basic Training for novice Motorcyclists in December 2010 there are still many bikers who have never received any formal training. I would encourage anyone in such a situation to get training no matter how long they have been biking. I also appeal to other drivers to be particularly conscious of motorcyclists and the implications of your actions for them.”
Mr. Brett also highlighted the problem of drunken pedestrians on the roads, “We’ve had an ongoing problem in this country with drunken pedestrians. Tragically the scenarios are typically as follows; people so drunk they stagger into the middle of the road or collapse on the road and are then are run over by a motorist, who just didn’t see them. All too often it is people walking in the middle of the road or on a dual carriage way or motorway. Our advice is simple, if heading out and you plan to drink, please ensure you have arranged your transport home in advance. Book a taxi, hackney or arrange for a lift home. I would also appeal to people if they see someone leaving a pub, nightclub, hotel or a house party and attempting to walk home in an intoxicated state to do the responsible thing, put them in a taxi or hackney or offer a lift. It could save a life. If you see a pedestrian on a motorway always phone the Gardai. I appeal particularly to those in the hospitality sector and to anyone who is aware of a person who is at risk to do all in their power to keep them safe. All too often we hear of an intoxicated pedestrian who dies or is seriously injured in the early hours of the morning on their way home after socialising. In cases where road users are severely intoxicated we must reflect on where they have been who knew they were in that state and what action should have been taken to try and keep them safe”.
Further information on the ETCS PIN Flash – 19 ‘Unprotected road users – a key concern for road safety’ can be obtained at the following link http://www.etsc.eu/PIN-publications.php
For further information please contact
RSA Communications Department, 096 25008
Or
ETSC Communications Officer Mircea Steriu, mircea.steriu@etsc.eu, Tel: +32 (0)2 230.41.06.