A prominent new road safety campaign highlighting the rules and safety issues relating to driving on a motorway was launched yesterday (April 11) by the Road Safety Authority (RSA), An Garda Síochána, National Roads Authority and the Automobile Association.
Accompanying the launch of a 40-second TV advert (designed to educate drivers in the rules and good practice of motorway driving) was the release of a set of statistics relating to motorway deaths.
Over 100 people have lost their lives on Irish motorways since 2005. With the opening of several new motorways in the past year, the trend is on the increase. Eight people died and a further 14 were seriously injured on motorways in 2011 and six people have died so far this year.
Although motorways are inherently safer for drivers than single carriageway roads, there are specific rules to adhere to, while pedestrians should never be on a motorway. Four pedestrians were killed in 2010.
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 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.”
“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 new campaign will focus on lane merging, lane discipline on three-lane motorways, overtaking and what to do in the case of a breakdown.
The RSA released the following 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.
- 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 dialling 999.
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 re-join 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.