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File photo Mark Stedman/RollingNews.ie

Drivers urged to slow down as more cyclists and pedestrians are on the roads

Roads around Ireland are getting busier as Covid-19 restrictions start to ease.

THE ROAD SAFETY Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána have launched a new road safety campaign urging road users to be extra cautious as the roads get busier, in particular because there are increased numbers of cyclists and pedestrians.

Roads around Ireland are getting busier as Covid-19 restrictions start to ease. People can now travel within 20km from their home, or within their own county, whichever is further.

It is planned to remove domestic travel restrictions completely on 29 June.

Under the new road safety campaign, ‘We’re on the road back. Make it a safer one’, drivers are being urged to slow down, avoid distractions while driving, and take care when passing pedestrians and cyclists.

Pedestrians are reminded to use the footpath and if there is none, to walk on the right-hand side of the road, facing oncoming traffic.

Screenshot 2020-06-10 at 11.11.10 RSA RSA

In the period covered by the start of government restrictions (13 March) up to 7 June, there 26 people died on Irish roads, compared to 35 in the corresponding period in 2019, the RSA noted today. This represents a decrease of nine deaths, or a 26% decline, in fatalities.

To date in 2020, there have been 64 fatalities as a result of 60 fatal crashes on Irish roads, compared to 64 fatalities following 55 fatal crashes up to the same period in 2019.

Car owners are also being urged to ensure their vehicle, which may not have been driven for some time, is roadworthy by undertaking some basic maintenance checks in advance of driving.

A spike in collisions

Speaking today, Liz O’Donnell, Chairperson of the RSA, said: “In the run up Covid-19 travel restrictions being put in place, we saw a spike in road traffic collisions.

“In fact, over the six days from 17 to 22 March, there were nine people killed on the roads. I am concerned that this may be repeated as travel restrictions are gradually lifted.”

O’Donnell said she is “also fearful that as people start getting back on the roads, they will fail to realise that there is now a changed environment on our roads, not only are children on their summer holidays, there are more people out walking and cycling, all the while trying to social distance”.

“As the restrictions are relaxed, it is more important than ever that we share the roads safely. Drivers need to slow down and be mindful of these vulnerable road users.”

Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman, of the Garda Roads Policing and Community Engagement Division, said An Garda Síochána “will maintain a visible presence on our road network”.

“I would ask all road users to remember the basics of road safety, to drive within speed limits, to comply with road signage, don’t drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, make sure to wear your seatbelt while driving and don’t be distracted by electronic devices,” Hilman said.

Speaking about the new campaign, Transport Minister Shane Ross said people have “done so much over the last three months to tackle the coronavirus, save lives and protect public health”.

He encouraged the same commitment from all road users to “saving lives on our roads”.

“We know from the data that most road deaths are preventable; most collisions are as a result of human behaviour. So just as we have adapted our behaviour in the face of a pandemic, we must be prepared to change our behaviour to meet the challenges with more of us walking and cycling on the road,” Ross said.

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    Mute Alan mulvey
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    Jan 14th 2015, 7:09 AM

    Have they not being talking about this since the boom?

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    Mute Mick Kenny
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    Jan 14th 2015, 3:57 PM

    It smells like political posturing to me. The info in the paper during was in direct contradiction of what the minister said before Christmas – ruling out tax credits because as he said in a parliamentary question a system of tax allowances would not benefit parents working in the home and could be seen as discriminatory. In addition, tax reliefs would favour the high paid while those on the minimum wage or in part-time work would not benefit to the same extent. Secondly he ruled out the second ECCE year now it back on the table. He’s doing a political cha cha because of the growing momentum for the Association of Childhood Professionals petition and 17th February rally which is even more reason to keep the pressure going. These hollow promises are just to attempt to quieten voices but I for one was raging when I read the article. This committee too is just a stalling tactic too, it will take several months for the committee to be formed, compile the data, launch it, then it will gather dust for a bit and hay presto it’s election time and they’re gone. Surly there is enough reports done of the years that can be dusted off and acted on. I for one will be at the Dail on 17th Feb with the ACP using my voice and looking for positive change. #oneunitedvoice (rant over)

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    Mute Mick Kenny
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    Jan 14th 2015, 3:59 PM

    Here’s the link for the petition for the government to invest in our children early years education, please support, sign and share https://www.change.org/p/enda-kenny-respect-value-and-resource-all-areas-of-early-childhood-education-and-care

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    Mute Michael cunnane
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    Jan 14th 2015, 8:10 AM

    Childcare costs….like paying two mortgages.

    87
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    Mute Eugene Doyle
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    Jan 14th 2015, 7:36 AM

    The problem is…..it is election spin!!!

    77
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    Mute Stuart Keogh
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    Jan 14th 2015, 10:02 AM

    Course it is, it’s the same government that threatened to cut child benefit if we didn’t sign up to IW, “but childcare services are important to them” pffffft

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    Mute Nobby Donnelly
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    Jan 14th 2015, 7:17 AM

    Still early – i thought the headline was about making irish children more adorable..

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    Mute Jennie
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    Jan 14th 2015, 9:08 AM

    That made me smile this morning. Thank you

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    Mute selita
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    Jan 14th 2015, 9:36 AM

    The first thing they need to do is look at the childcare subvention scheme and community childcare.

    Why oh why are the government subsidising childcare for those who choose not to work.
    Yes I know there will be do-gooders who will say the child needs it, that maybe these parents are looking for work etc. there is millions wasted, I work in the community sector and as a working parent there is nothing that drives me mad than meeting parents (who choose NOT to work) leaving their kids off at crèche a few mornings a week, so that they get ‘a break’ and pay between €20-€30(and complain having to pay this) for the privilege as the government subsidises this. Yet I have to pay full crèche fees of a grand and pay tax. While there are numerous families struggling to pay bills and childcare, there are huge numbers of subsidised crèche places being taking up by parents who do not work or train and do not want to!!

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    Mute Rakel
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    Jan 14th 2015, 10:57 AM

    Selita, maybe the fact that some people ‘choose’ to stay at home and take responsibility for the majority of their childs care should be praised and not criticised. Of course people who do this have less money and that is why they need subsidised fees, or are they simply not entitled to a ‘break’ because they don’t put their child in crèche for 8+ hours a day and subscribe to a societal norm that is about as anti-family as it gets!

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    Mute Rakel
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    Jan 14th 2015, 11:00 AM

    Caring for a child/family is very much work as you should know. So sick of people undervaluing the role of the parent in the home.

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    Mute Henry Fleming
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    Jan 14th 2015, 11:15 AM

    Rakel, looks like you completely missed the point made!!

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    Mute Rakel
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    Jan 14th 2015, 12:12 PM

    No I see her point Henry, and have no problem with the cost of childcare coming down for working families, but I didn’t like her comments in relation to parents who don’t work!

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    Mute mammy
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    Jan 14th 2015, 1:54 PM

    But how are they going to go and buy their breakfast rolls and Johnny blues without having to share with the chizzlers?

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    Mute selita
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    Jan 14th 2015, 4:35 PM

    I am not undervaluing the stay at home parent, it is something I would aspire to be!!! Rakel I am talking about parents (both) who CHOOSE NOT to work and have no intention of working, having numerous kids….claim social welfare benefits, social housing etc. Parents not wanting to work and putting there child into a crèche 20-25 hours per week is hardly looking after their children? if I didn’t have to work I wouldn’t have my kids in crèche, why would I? as a working mother when do I get a break, im up at 6am, kids feed and clothed, dropped off, in work run of my feet, work through lunch so I can get out early, pick up kids, spend time with them, make dinner, bed time routine, clean up and finally sit down at 10pm and off to bed at 10.30, woken at least once a night by my baby.
    I HAVE to work in order to keep a roof over my kids head, if I gave up work we would lose our home, I cant sell as we are in negative equity, I would love a large family, but that is not possible.

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    Mute martintim
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    Jan 14th 2015, 7:47 AM

    Anyone who believes them needs their head examined, they’ll make the price higher with some kind of creche tax if anything

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    Mute Alison Kenny
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    Jan 14th 2015, 7:58 AM

    And it will only apply to crèches even if you have a childminder through the tax system. Seems fair, not!!!

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    Mute Philip
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    Jan 14th 2015, 11:59 AM

    Those that choose to look after their own children rather than get some stranger to look after them.

    What help are they getting?

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    Mute Snorre N Skalagrimmerson
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    Jan 14th 2015, 9:58 AM

    Pure spin by the anti family anti people FG/LAB JUNTA

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    Mute deerhounddog
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    Jan 14th 2015, 8:30 AM

    Pune spin.

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    Mute deerhounddog
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    Jan 14th 2015, 8:34 AM

    Pure spin

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    Mute Richie Rice
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    Jan 14th 2015, 8:25 AM

    What else would it be, soak it up Pixies.

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    Mute Live Long
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    Jan 14th 2015, 10:14 AM

    Child care should be more affordable but not on the backs of the tax payer, we pay enough as it is to support other peoples children.

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    Mute Sian O Sullivan
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    Jan 14th 2015, 10:47 AM

    So are you suggesting everyone should fill out a little form every month indicating what their tax should be spent on ???

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    Mute Mick Kenny
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    Jan 14th 2015, 4:02 PM

    these are the future tax payers who will be paying into you pension and elderly care, try to see the big picture.

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