The threat of those on two feet

REARVIEW:THE NEWS THAT Dublin has the safest roads of any major European city is to be welcomed.

According to the European Transport Safety Council, casualties in the capital have fallen 12 per cent in 10 years. Seven people have died on the city’s roads so far this year, compared to 13 in the same period in 2010.

Much of the reduction has to be down to the HGV ban and, to a lesser extent, the 30km/h limit. Growing numbers of bicycles on streets in recent years have also made motorists more considerate, although habitual cyclists will no doubt point out Dublin has a long way to go before it can be deemed a bike-friendly environment on a par with Copenhagen or Amsterdam.

But maintaining the momentum is not the sole responsibility of motorists. Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists have their parts to play, too.

Sadly, many of the above still think themselves above the law. Take a wander around the city centre – particularly in the evenings, when people are tired and rushing to get home – if you don’t believe me.

Worst of all are the jaywalkers. The city is full of pavement lemmings, either ignorant or uncaring of the fact that cars really, really hurt if they plough into you, even at slow speeds.

If I had a fiver for every zombie I’d seen pushing a buggy through traffic with the insouciance of a punter guiding a shopping trolley down a supermarket aisle, I’d have a huge pile of fivers.

Here’s hoping the Garda follows through on its recent pledge to clamp down on jaywalkers. Someone has to save them from themselves.