02 February 2011
Road Safety Authority Issue Guidelines on Placement of Election Posters
With a General Election underway, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is today 2nd February 2011 advising political parties and their campaign workers of the need to take care when positioning campaign posters.
Specifically, the RSA has advised that election posters should not be placed in a way which obscures road signs, particularly those that relate to the Rules of the Road and road user safety. These would include speed limit, traffic lights junction, warning and road works signs as well as those giving directions.
“The signage on our roads, whether put there by the National Roads Authority, Local Authorities, the Gardaí or construction and road repair teams, are there to ensure the safety of motorists and all road users,” explained Noel Brett, Chief Executive, RSA. “So it is vital that no action is taken that either obscures signage / traffic lights, or distracts road users. Particular care should be taken to ensure that 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 that action should be taken to deal with obstructions that 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.
Concluding Mr. Brett also asked election candidates to ensure that “all campaign workers are made aware of the dangers of working at the road side and not to 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.”
ENDS
For further information contact:
Communications Office, Road Safety Authority: 096 25008