October Bank Holiday – Road Safety TIPS

Bank Holiday Weekends are one of the busiest periods on Irish roads. They are also one of the periods during which road users are at the highest risk of being involved in a fatal or serious road traffic collision. For this bank holiday weekend, South Dublin County Council ‘s Road Safety Officer Orlaith Maguire, along with all other Local Authorities Road Safety Officers have three simple messages.

Light Up – Slow Down – Drive Sober

Light Up!

This October Bank Holiday Weekend sees the clocks change, which brings less daylight hours. The mornings remain darker for longer and the evening get darker earlier. This is an important reminder for all pedestrians and cyclists to ‘Light Up’ – Wear a high visibility vest, armband or fluorescent material. Cyclists must also have a working white light at the front and a red light to the rear of their bike.

 ‘Light Up’ - Be Safe and Be Seen while using the roads. 

Slow Down!

A national road traffic and Speed Enforcement Operation has commenced and will continue until 7am on Tuesday morning. Speeding increases the stopping distance of a vehicle, and it increases the chance of a collision. 

Motorists are asked to reduce speed ‘Slow Down’ – by reducing your speed by even 5kmph, you have more time to react to a hazard, which allows you to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front and reducing the risk of a collision. It is also good for fuel efficiency! Remember, Speed Limits are not targets!

Drive Sober!

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal and dangerous. Impaired driving impairs your ability to drive. If caught and convicted for drink or drug driving, you could lose more than just your licence! Impaired Driving will form part of the national garda traffic enforcement operations over the weekend. Drivers are reminded to ‘Drive Sober’. 

The national campaign was launched at 9am this morning from a National Ambulance Service Base at Merlin Park Hospital, in Galway.