11 April 2011

New Awareness Campaign on Motorway Safety Launched

Since 2005, over 100 people have been killed or seriously injured as a result of collisions on Ireland’s motorway network. Of these, eight people died and 14 were seriously injured in 2010, which is the worst year since 2007 when 26 people were killed or seriously injured. Worryingly 6 people have died in motorway collisions to date in 2011*.

These figures were revealed today Monday 11th April 2011 at the launch of a new awareness campaign to highlight safety on Motorways by the Road Safety Authority (RSA), An Garda Síochána, National Roads Authority and the Automobile Association, at the Lighthouse Cinema, Dublin.

Central to the campaign is a new 40 second TV advert, which has been produced by the RSA to raise awareness of the rules of the road and important safety issues on Motorways.

Of particular concern to all the agencies involved in the launch is the number of pedestrians who were killed on motorways in 2010. Tragically, four people lost their lives while walking on motorways, the highest number in the five year period from 2005 to 2010. The public was reminded at the launch never to walk on a motorway, no matter what the reason or urgency.

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Noel Brett, Chief Executive, Road Safety Authority said “The message is clear: never ever walk on a motorway. Pedestrians are at a massive risk on a motorway – you’re are taking your life in your hands and putting other road users in danger too. Likewise, drivers who stop on a motorway can cause collisions involving their own car and potentially many others. It’s unsafe and it’s an offence. We are working closely with our partners such as An Garda Síochána, the National Roads Authority and the Automobile Association to ensure that all road users in Ireland respect the motorway network and take responsibility for their actions, their lives and the lives of all road users.”

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Dr Leo Varadkar, said “This is an important campaign to save lives and prevent injuries on our roads. The RSA, An Garda Síochána, the National Roads Authority and Automobile Association have joined forces to educate road users of the risks associated with using motorways. It is a major concern that so many people were killed or seriously injured last year as a result of road collisions on motorways. We’re asking everyone today to please use motorways safely and respect the motorway network. Doing so could save your life and the lives of other road users.”

Chief Superintendent Gabriel McIntyre, Garda National Traffic Bureau, said ”An Garda Síochána is committed to reducing the number of deaths and serious injury collisions on Irish roads, including on our motorway network. We have seen all too frequently the carnage that results from reckless and dangerous driving. Families, friends, colleagues and neighbours have suffered grief and anguish and the survivors of these collisions face their own personal battle as they struggle with the effects of their injuries on their lives and the lives of those around them. All road users should be conscious of the dangers posed by motorways and take heed of the advice, in particular – motorways are not for pedestrians and drivers should never stop on a motorway.”

Mr. Harry Cullen, Senior Project Manager Road Safety, National Roads Authority, said, “Ireland’s national road network has grown to 5,515 kms. This includes 1,187 kms of motorway network. Ireland now has a motorway network which connects all our major urban centres. We are committed to ensuring that all road users use them in the correct way. A safe and modern motorway network provides benefits to all road users, to businesses and to society as a whole. We are committed to working with the RSA to ensure that this message is clearly communicated to all road users.”

“Motorways and the new high grade dual carriageways are extremely safe roads. Statistically, they are the safest roads that we have. But that does not mean there is no danger” says Conor Faughnan, Director of Policy, AA Ireland. The AA attends an average of 60 breakdowns on motorways every week – an increase of 63% in the last year. This means ever greater exposure to danger for drivers and their passengers.

“The new roads are fantastic but Motorways have specific safety rules for very good reasons. Traffic moves at high speed and when collisions occur they can be catastrophic. The hard shoulder for example is an extremely dangerous place to be, yet some drivers use it almost casually. In darkness or in foggy conditions the danger is magnified, and drivers need to be aware of it” said Mr. Faughnan.

The maximum speed limit on a motorway is 120km per hour, unless there are signs stating another speed limit (e.g. warning signals to highlight road works); or you are driving a vehicle that is subject to a lower limit, such as a bus or truck.

The RSA reminds drivers that your total stopping distance at 120km per hour is 107.5 metres in dry conditions. This is equivalent to the length of a football pitch.

Drivers should also ensure they leave enough room between their car and the vehicle in front to allow for a safe stop –in dry conditions you should make sure that you are at least two seconds behind and this increases to four seconds in wet conditions.

Mr. Noel Brett added: “High speeds mean that just a moment’s lapse of concentration could have serious consequences, so please don’t drive if you’re tired and plan your breaks before you set out on a journey. Ireland’s motorway network is a fantastic asset but we need to use it safely at all times. ”

The new advertising campaign focuses on the key motorway issues of Lane Merging, Lane Discipline on 3 Lane Motorways, Overtaking and a Breakdown. It also reminds the public never to walk on a motorway and never to stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway. It will be supported by an information leaflet, which will be distributed to, libraries, motor tax offices, Garda stations and driving test centres. The information leaflet provides advice on safe driving on motorways, including advice on preparation for journeys, correct signalling and lane use and the correct procedure when joining and leaving the motorway.

The Road Safety Authority has incorporated closed captioned titles for the hard of hearing in this advertisement. These are available to viewers on the teletext 888 service. This is the first time that the RSA has incorporated the additional function and it plans to make it available in all future TV commercials.

Ends
For further information, please contact:
RSA Communications Office, Ballina: 096 25008

Note to Editors
*Figures for 2010 are provisional and subject to change.
Killed or seriously injured on motorways: 2005 - 2010

Year	Killed	Serious Injuries
2005	3	5
2006	11	7
2007	10	16
2008	2	7
2009	6	9
2010*	8	14
2011*	6	-
Total	46	58

 Fatalities 

Road User Type	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011
Pedestrians	2	1	0	1	0	4	3
Pedal Cyclists	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Motor Cyclists	0	2	1	0	0	0	0
Car Users	1	7	6	1	5	2	3
PSV Users	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
Goods Vehicle	0	1	3	0	0	2	0
Other or Unknown	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total	3	11	10	2	6	8	6

     
Serious injuries

Road User Type	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010
Pedestrians	0	0	1	0	0	0
Pedal Cyclists	0	0	0	0	0	1
Motor Cyclists	0	1	2	0	2	0
Car Users	5	4	12	6	4	12
PSV Users	0	0	0	0	2	0
Goods Vehicle	0	2	1	1	0	2
Other or Unknown	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total	5	7	16	7	9	14

 

Top Tips for Safe Motorway Use

•  Never, ever walk on a motorway
• Never, ever stop on the hard shoulder of a motorway
• Left lane for normal driving
• Keep lane discipline
• Keep your distance
• Do not drive in the hard shoulder
• Always obey the rules of the road in respect of Motorway driving
• Prepare for your journey
• In the case of an emergency use the SOS phone and wait behind the barrier
• Always be careful and pay attention when joining a motorway
• Signal in good time before joining the motorway to let others know you intend to join the motorway
• Check your mirrors and your blind spot while on the slip road approaching the motorway.
• Give way to traffic already on the motorway
• Change your speed to fit safely and legally into the traffic in the left hand lane.

Title of offence	Penalty points on payment of fixed charge	Penalty points on court conviction	Fixed charge Amount paid in 28 days	Fixed charge Amount paid in 28 days
Speeding (introduced 31 October 2002)	2	4	€80	€120
Dangerous overtaking	2	5	€80	€120
Driving a vehicle on a motorway against the flow of traffic	2	4	€80	€120
Driving on the hard shoulder of a motorway	1	3	€80	€120
Driving a HGV or bus on the outside lane of a motorway	1	3	€80	€120
Failure to leave appropriate distance between you and the vehicle in front	2	4	€80	€120
Failure to comply with "keep left" and "keep right" signs	1	3	€60	€90
Failure to comply with traffic lane markings	1	3	€60	€90

 

If you get 12 penalty points on your licence in three years, you will be banned from driving for six months.

 

Editors’ notes
What to do if your vehicle breaks down?

• Look out for marked parking areas.
• Move your vehicle to the hard shoulder. Park as near to the left as you can. If you cannot do this, take steps to warn other drivers such as switching on your hazard warning lights.
• Use your mobile phone when it is safe to use it, or use the roadside telephone to contact the Gardaí.
• Do not place any warning device such as a triangle on the motorway as it is too dangerous.
• Never try to do repairs yourself on the hard shoulder.
• Wear a high visibility vest. Always carry one in the vehicle.
• Do not walk on the motorway. Leave your vehicle through the left-hand door and make sure your passengers do the same. Leave animals in the vehicle or, in an emergency, keep them under control on the verge.
• Make sure that passengers keep away from the motorway lanes and hard shoulder, and keep children under control.
• Wait for help on the embankment side of the motorway behind the crash barrier.
• If for some reason you are unable to follow the above advice, you should stay in your vehicle with your safety belt securely fastened and switch on your hazard lights.
• Before you rejoin the motorway after a breakdown, build up your speed on the hard shoulder before merging into traffic. Be aware that other vehicles may have stopped on the hard shoulder.

If you find yourself driving against the flow of traffic on a motorway, pull in immediately on the hard shoulder and stop. Do not attempt to turn your vehicle. Get out of the vehicle and wait at a safe place. Contact the Gardaí by dialing 999.

Map of Fatal and Serious Injuries 2005 to 2009