31 December 2011
New Year’s Eve Safety Message from the RSA
As the country prepares to ring in the New Year, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is today, Saturday 31st December 2011, urging all road users to take personal responsibility for their own safety and the safety of other road users.
Mr. Noel Brett, CEO, RSA appealed to all drivers who are planning on celebrating the New Year, to drive safely by slowing down, not driving while impaired, through either drink, drugs or fatigue and to always wear a seatbelt. Watch out for pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, and expect the unexpected. He made a special plea to those out socialising not to take a lift from a driver who has consumed alcohol or drugs. ”
Reminding pedestrians and cyclists of the need to take special care when out and about this New Year’s Eve he advised of the importance of “wearing something reflective. Be safe by being seen with the help of high visibility reflective material such as an arm-band, Sam Browne belt or high-vis jacket – particularly if they are travelling on country roads late at night or in poor light. With 45 pedestrians killed to date in 2011 we all need to reflect on our vulnerability when out walking and more particularly so when making our way home after a night out. Plan your night out and make arrangements for getting home safely. Never ever walk on motorways or dual carriageways and always use pedestrian crossing facilities where provided.
Mr. Brett added, “If you are going out for a drink tonight, leave the keys at home; get a taxi, minibus, public transport or take turns to designate a driver. We want to make sure that you get home safely. And don’t forget that time is the only way to get alcohol out of your system, so don’t assume you are safe to drive the morning after a night out.
If you see someone you know who is in danger please do offer them a lift or call a taxi for them. Don’t leave an intoxicate person at risk on the road. In this season of good will please do the responsible thing and don’t assume that someone else will.
On what is one of the busiest nights out of the year we must all take full responsibility for our behaviour on the road. There has been a seismic shift in attitudes to drink driving in recent years and for that I thank the majority who do the right thing. There remain a hard core of drivers who persist in putting themselves and those with whom they share the road at risk of death or injury. To that group of drivers I again ask that you stop this potentially killer behaviour and to the public I ask that you alert the Gardaí if you know of someone who is driving when drunk. That call could save a life in your community.
The RSA would like to take this opportunity to wish all road users a very Happy New Year and a safe 2012. Thank you for your effort to keep safe and save lives in 2011 and please do include road safety in your list of New Year resolutions.
For further information, please contact:
RSA Communications Department 096 25008