REARVIEW:During the last recession road deaths soared in Ireland. In 1978, for example, 628 people lost their lives at a time when there were far fewer vehicles. With safer vehicles, increased safety awareness among road users and with safer roads and more motorways, we have come a long way in saving lives.
But as money becomes more scarce in the latest recession, whatever funds are available from State coffers must be diverted from the vanity projects, planned during the boom, and channelled into basic maintenance of our road network.
Following last year’s big freeze, many roads – particularly back roads – suffered extensive damage and some remain potholed since then, posing a serious risk to motorists.
The state of the country’s minor roads must be given priority as winter beds in.
Last year, the country ground to a halt for days on end as we ran out of grit to treat the roads. Some of our roads were left in deadly and impassable conditions merely because of a few centimetres of snow and a lack of stone and salt to throw on them. It is now the time for local authorities to ensure their grit supplies are sufficient and to acquire extra grit, if required, before it is too late.
Motorists also bear a large degree of responsibility during the winter months in ensuring both their own safety and that of other road users, particularly vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists.
A few simple steps can help. Turn on your lights during daylight hours – this will make you more visible and less likely to be in a crash. The cost in fuel and bulbs will be negligible. Keep your distance and drive slower. In the wet or on ice, your car will take a considerably longer amount of time to stop, particularly if that stop is unexpected. If you are on a bike or walking, wear a high visibility vest day and night and please obey the rules of the road. They apply to all road users.