29 September 2011
RSA issues guidelines on placement of Presidential Election posters
With the Presidential Election underway, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is, today Thursday 29th September 2011, advising presidential candidates and their campaign workers of the need to take care when positioning campaign posters.
Specifically, the RSA is asking that presidential election posters not be placed in a way which obscures road signs, particularly those relating to the Rules of the Road and road user safety. These would include speed limits, traffic lights at junctions, roundabouts, warning and road works signs as well as directional signage.
“The signage on our roads is there to ensure the safety of motorists and all other road users, whether put there by the National Roads Authority, Local Authorities, the Gardaí or construction and road repair teams,” explained Mr. Noel Brett, CEO, RSA. “It is vital no action is taken which obscures signage, traffic lights or distracts road users. Particular care should be taken to ensure all posters are securely fastened so as to avoid hitting cyclists, pedestrians or vehicles.”
It is an offence to erect any sign or notice that makes a traffic sign less visible to road users (Road Traffic Act 1961, Section 95, Subsection 14)
(14) A person shall not provide any such sign, device, notice or light as is not a traffic sign if, on provision thereof, it is visible from a public road and—
(a) it is capable of being confused with a traffic sign,
(b) it makes a traffic sign provided in accordance with this section less visible to road users,
or
(c) it obstructs the view of public road users so as to render the road dangerous to them.
Local Authorities are also advised that, under the ‘Traffic Signs Manual’ issued by the Department of Transport, action should be taken to deal with obstructions which impede the clear visibility of traffic signs. Any member of the public who is concerned about dangerous or inappropriately positioned election posters should contact their Local Authority directly.
“It is also important that all campaign workers are made aware of the dangers of working at the road side and do not place themselves or others at risk when erecting posters. It would certainly be very helpful if such workers took the practical step of wearing high-visibility jackets when doing so” added Mr. Brett.
ENDS
For further information contact: Communications Office,
Road Safety Authority: 096 25008