03 October 2016

Alcohol a Factor in 29% of Fatal Motorcycle Collisions Between 2008 and 2012

 Report Presented at RSA Academic Lecture Which Marks Beginning of Irish Road Safety Week 3

The fourth landmark Pre-Crash Report from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has revealed that almost a third of motorcyclists involved in fatal collisions between 2008 and 2012 had consumed alcohol. The findings of the report were presented at the RSA Annual Academic Lecture today, the first event of Irish Road Safety Week which runs until Sunday 9 October.

983 fatal collisions occurred on Irish roads between 2008 and 2012, claiming the lives of 1,077 people. The RSA analysed An Garda Síochána Forensic Collision Investigation reports for 867 collisions in order to determine what caused or contributed to the collisions. Of these 867 collisions, 93 collisions involved a motorcyclist and claimed the lives of 96 people. A further 7 people were seriously injured.

The report revealed that:

• Speed was a contributory factor in 49% of the 93 fatal collisions involving a motorcyclist
• 54% of the fatal collisions involving a motorcyclist occurred in an 80km/h speed zone
• Almost one third (29%) of motorcyclists involved in fatal collisions had consumed alcohol, and almost half of these (45%) were four times or more above the current legal limit
• The presence of alcohol was most prevalent among 25-34 year olds
• 57% of the motorcyclists in fatal collisions who had consumed alcohol crashed on a Sunday. More motorcyclists with a presence of alcohol were in a fatal collision between 5pm and 6pm on a Sunday than any other time during the week.

Ms Moyagh Murdock, Chief Executive, Road Safety Authority said:

“While this report covers a period that saw the greatest reduction in road deaths since we began recording them in 1959, it does highlight worrying behaviour among motorcyclists, particularly where alcohol and speed are concerned. It’s critical that those who are seasoned bikers, as well as those who are new to this mode of transport, recognise their vulnerability on the roads and take appropriate measures, such as initial and advanced training, to ensure their safety. Other road-users also need to be aware of their responsibilities when sharing the roads with motorcyclists, particularly when exiting or entering a side road or turning right.”

Chief Superintendent Aidan Reid, An Garda Síochána said:

“It’s shocking that 28 motorcyclists involved in fatal collisions 2008 and 2012 had consumed alcohol. Motorcyclists are already among the most vulnerable of our road-users and the report clearly shows that when alcohol is involved, the consequences are fatal. Excessive and inappropriate speed was also a significant contributory factor to motorcycle fatalities in this period. What this tells us is that we need to make better choices when we use the roads, no matter what mode of transport we’re using. If you’re a motorcyclist, reduce your speed, wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment and high visibility gear, make yourself visible to other road-users and never ever drink and drive.”

The report also revealed that:

• Six counties - Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Limerick and Tipperary - accounted for almost half (47%) of fatal motorcycle collisions
• 57% of collisions on a Saturday and 58% of collisions on a Sunday occurred between 12pm and 7pm
• April and July were the most dangerous months for motorcyclists, accounting for 16% and 15% respectively
• Of the 93 fatal collisions involving a motorcycle, the motorcyclist was deemed culpable in 72 collisions and part culpable in 8 collisions
• 98% (78) of the motorcyclists who were deemed culpable for the collision were male
• 30% of those culpable had no insurance and 15% did not hold a current motorcycle licence at the time of the collision
• 4 of the 6 pillion passengers killed were being driven by motorcyclists who had consumed alcohol.

Delegates at the lecture also heard from Dr Áine Carroll who presented on the consequences of motorcycle collisions from a medical perspective, highlighting the types of injuries typically sustained by motorcyclists. Dr Saskia de Craen, Researcher from SWOV Institute of Road Safety Research (Netherlands) presented the results of her research into the effectiveness of rider training. SWOV evaluated the ‘Risk’ one-day advanced training course at the Royal Dutch Motorcyclists Association over a two-year period from 2012 to 2014. The results showed that the training had a positive effect on safe riding behaviour and hazard perception of motorcyclists in the short-term (the first few months after training). In the long-term, ‘Risk’ trained motorcyclists showed safer traffic behaviour than those without training.

The lecture is the first event of the 9th Annual ‘Irish Road Safety Week’ which is taking place nationwide until Sunday 9 October. The RSA is urging people to get involved in this national drive to save lives and to play an important role in keeping Irish roads free from tragedy. To date this year, 140 people have been killed on Irish roads,  22 more than the same period last year.

Speaking about ‘Irish Road Safety Week’, Ms Murdock said:

“There are just three months left in the year to reverse the road fatality trend we have seen so far this year. Road-users in Ireland should be proud of the efforts they have made in recent years to make Ireland one of the safest countries in the EU. Now it is up to each and every one of us to step up our efforts and to strive to be the safest country in the world in terms of road safety. It is possible, but only if we work together to find ways to reduce the risk of death and injury on our roads. Find out what’s happening in your local community, get involved and play your part in saving lives and preventing serious injuries on our roads.”

To find out what else is planned for Irish Road Safety Week around the country, visit https://goo.gl/y1HRLX

Notes

Activities taking place around the country as part of Irish Road Safety Week this week include:

• Monday 3 October: the RSA will host its Annual Academic Lecture in the Ballroom Farmleigh, Phoenix Park. The theme of this year’s lecture is motorcycle safety where the RSA’s latest in-depth analysis of fatalities will be presented.
• Wednesday 5 October: The RSA and the Irish Tyre Industry Association (ITIA) will jointly run Tyre Safety Day where free tyre checks will be on offer to motorists in participating garages. More information is available on www.ITIA.ie . There will also be a tyre safety radio campaign airing during the week. A copy of ‘Your Guide to Tyre Safety’ which includes information on buying second hand tyres can be downloaded from www.rsa.ie   
• The RSA, HSA and An Garda Síochána are hosting a ‘Driving for Work’ Seminar on ‘Managing Driving for Work’ on Wednesday 5 October in Rochestown Park Hotel, Douglas, Co Cork from 8.30am to 1pm. Places are limited so email drivingforwork@rsa.ie  to register your pace by Friday 30 September.
• On Thursday 6 October, the RSA will air its 1.5 cycle safety radio edit to remind all motorists to give a 1.5 metre clearance when passing cyclists
• The second ‘Driving for Work’ Seminar hosted by the RSA, HSA and An Garda Síochána will be on Thursday 6 October in the Green Isle Hotel, Naas Road, Dublin from 8.30am to 1pm. Places are limited so email drivingforwork@rsa.ie  to register your pace by Friday 30 September.
• National ‘Beep Beep Day’ takes place on Friday 7 October 2016. Beep Beep Day is a chance for pre-schoolers to get involved in road safety. Anyone who is interested in participating can place their orders through the RSA Online Orders system at www.rsa.ie  There is a limited supply of stock so place your orders as soon as possible.
• During Irish Road Safety Week, the RSA will also be broadcasting its ‘Is Your Car Ready for Winter?’ radio ad to remind road-users to maintain their cars, especially in wet and windy weather.
• There will be free giveaways on the RSA’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
• Check it Fits, the RSA’s free child car seat checking service, will be visiting Waterford during Irish Road Safety Week to give free car seat checks and advice to parents and guardians. It will be in Lisduggan S.C, Waterford Retail Park on Thursday 6 October and Super Valu, The Kilbarry Centre, Tramore Road on Friday 7 October from 10am to 5.30pm. More details are available at www.rsa.ie/checkitfits  
• In October, the RSA will also be distributing its ‘Back to School’ pack to secondary students, while Seatbelt Sheriff and Hi Glo Silver will be making an appearance at primary level.
• Our National Road Safety Education Service will be travelling the length and breadth of the country, delivering road safety education programmes to crèches, schools, universities, workplaces and communities throughout the week.