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January news
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January 28, 2016
Why To Keep Your Headlights On
Most motorists today are aware of the potential dangers of driving on busy roads – From speeding and irresponsible drivers, to the hazards posed by poor weather conditions, there is an almost unlimited amount of dangers for the modern motorist.
So how do we protect ourselves against these inherent dangers we are exposed to when we get behind the wheel? The answer is quite simple really – Just make yourself more visible.
Most road accidents are caused by poor visibility, with one driver not being aware of another drivers position on the road – And a recent study suggests that by driving with your headlights on in Dublin at all times, you can reduce your chances of being in an accident by up to a third.
Safe driving from easyDrive!
January 19, 2016
The Importance of Keeping Distance
All drivers are aware of the various hazards of being on the roads these days – Whether it is the perils of driving in snow and ice or other drivers travelling too fast in their own vehicles, being behind the wheel nowadays requires all drivers to be alert and on their guard.
One of the many dangers posed is the driver in front braking abruptly, which will cause you to react rapidly – Failure to brake in enough time and safely will likely result in an unfortunate accident.
So how to avoid this danger? Simple – Keep to the 2 second rule. Maintaining this safe distance behind other drivers should allow you sufficient time to react quickly and safely. But remember, stopping distance increases in poor conditions!
But what's the point in keeping 2 sec when you can have 4 and drive more relaxed.
Driving to close to another vehicle causes nervous and twitchy driving and also causes the driver in front to be put under pressure.
Safe driving from easyDrive!
January 28,
Driving Tests Across The Globe
For many learner drivers the prospect of taking your driving test might fill you with a sense of dread and anxiety – However this feeling is not limited Ireland. Across the entire world, the test is feared, and if you lived in these other Countries, you might be able to see why.
In Ghana, road rage is particularly encouraged, with the highway code instructing drivers to scold other road users with their horn and headlights in the event of bad behaviour behind the wheel.
Greece insists on at least three people in the car during the test, whilst it is much harder to gain the highest driving qualification of driving in North Korea, with the minimum requirement being that you must be able to build a car!
However for those of you taking your driving test in Kenya, it doesn’t seem that bad – You need to firstly demonstrate your abilities with a toy car, and reportedly the test can last less than one minute!
Safe driving from easyDrive
Jan 4th - Weather Condidtions
The Road Safety Authority (RSA), has today Monday 4th January, issued a reminder to all road users to continue to excercise caution when using the roads. Even though weather conditions have improved, road conditions in parts of the country are still hazardous due to the continued presence of flooding on roads. There is also the added danger posed by storm damaged road surfaces and gravel / stones deposited by surface water, especially on regional roads.
The RSA advises the following:
· Driver behaviour needs to match the road conditions on roads. Debris deposited by the recent rainwater (surface run off) and wet roads will reduce grip so drivers are asked to slow down and increase braking distances, by leaving a bigger gap between vehicles.
· DO NOT attempt to drive through flooded roads as stranded cars are causing obstruction and a hazard in some locations.
· Pay attention to any advice or signage that either the Local Authorities or the Gardai have in place for road closures and obey any signs detouring traffic away from flooded roads.
· Plan your travel routes carefully before beginning your journey allowing time for any diversions.
· Road users are asked to be extra careful at night when it’s harder to see flood dangers.
For advice on severe weather driving tips please see severe weather advice on the RSA website or check out the RSA Facebook and Twitter pages.
For more weather updates visit Met Eireann’s website www.met.ie
Jan 4th - Road fatalities
165 PEOPLE DIED IN 158 FATAL ROAD CRASHES IN
15% drop in road deaths in first decline since 2012
Provisional end of year road casualty figures for , published today, Friday 1st January 2016, show that there were 158 fatal collisions, which resulted in 165 fatalities on Irish roads. This represents 21 (12%) fewer fatal collisions, and 28 (15%) fewer deaths compared to 2014.
The significant decline reverses an upward trend in road deaths in 2013 (188) and 2014 (193). It is also the second lowest number of road deaths since recording began in 1959. The safest year was in 2012 when 162 lives were lost.
Commenting on the report the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, said, “While every death on our roads is one death too many, I sincerely hope that is a return to the steady progress we were making as a country, up to 2012, to make our roads safer for everybody. A reduction of 15% in the number of fatalities is a positive development but the number of lives tragically lost, especially in recent weeks, reminds us that we must continue to focus on the most effective ways of reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads. Throughout 2016 the RSA will continue to highlight the dangers for vulnerable and other road users and I will be progressing legislation in January to tackle drug driving. While Government Agencies have played a vital role in achieving the reduction in road deaths, the real thanks goes to road user for taking the responsibility of taking greater care on our roads. By making a choice not to speed or drink drive, by wearing a seatbelt and by wearing high visibility clothing when out walking, lives have been saved. Let's not put what has been achieved at risk and each take it upon ourselves to play our part, whether as a motorist, a cyclist or a pedestrian, in making our roads as safe as they can be in the year ahead."
Road Safety Authority Chairperson Ms. Liz O’Donnell said, “It’s difficult to describe as a success when 165 people lost their lives on the roads and especially after the carnage we witnessed in the final weeks of year. But the number of people being killed on the road is the only way we can measure success or failure and it’s important that people know progress is being made and their efforts are making a difference. So, to put it simply, because road users took greater care on the road last year they saved one life every two weeks compared to 2014. But we can save so many more lives and my appeal to all road users is to make a pledge to practice more, good road safety habits in 2016. I would also urge people to be extra vigilant over the next few weeks of anticipated bad weather and resultant flooding.”
Ms. O’Donnell also paid tribute to the work of the Gardai and Emergency Services, “It is important, as we come to the end of another year, that we acknowledge and thank those on the front line in road safety. The Gardai, Ambulance and Paramedic crews, Fire Brigade personnel, Nurses, Doctors and Carers who are responsible for ensuring we stay safe on the roads and for caring for those who have been affected by road trauma. Our thoughts are also with the families of the bereaved and we will work to ensure that fewer families suffer such tragedy in 2016.”
RSA Chief Executive, Ms. Moyagh Murdock said that, “2016 will be a challenging year. It is vital that we build on the success of and not regress as we did in 2013 and 2014. We have already held detailed meetings with our colleagues in An Garda Síochána to ensure our education and awareness plans for 2016 are closely aligned with their policing efforts. The focus for the RSA will be on the challenges posed by Driver Distraction, in particular mobile phone use while driving, the dangers of low level speeding and the consequences of this behaviour for vulnerable road users. We will also raise awareness of the new enforcement intervention to be introduced to tackle drug driving. In addition to these priorities, we need to go back to basics and revisit some old chestnuts that have worryingly resurfaced as significant pre-crash factors in collisions, namely drink driving and non-seatbelt wearing.”
Chief Superintendent Mark Curran, Garda National Traffic Bureau, An Garda Síochána while welcoming the reduction in fatalities in , highlighted that 20 persons have lost their lives on Irish Roads in December , with 15 road deaths in the last two weeks alone. This is the worst December for road deaths since 2007. This marks a significant increase in the number of families and friends suffering over the Christmas and New Year period due to the loss of a loved one. Chief Superintendent, Curran on behalf of An Garda Síochána offers his condolences to all effect by Road Traffic fatalities during and previously.
An Garda Síochána will continue to incorporate road safety as one of its key policing objectives in 2016 to ensure safety for everyone using the roads. An Garda Síochána is totally committed to achieving a continuing reduction in road fatalities, by education, rigid enforcement and working with our external stakeholders.
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