Connex warning to road users after latest collision

Road-users should treat tram lanes like they do bus lanes and stay out of them, according to Connex, the operator of the Luas.

The Dublin tram operator has reiterated its safety message to road-users to be aware of traffic markings and signals for the tram lines in the wake of another collision between a car and tram.

A motorist was taken to hospital, but his injuries were believed to be minor, following the incident on the tram path at the Upper Kilmacud Road junction in Dublin on Saturday at about 9.15 p.m.

The section of the south Dublin Luas line between Kilmacud and Sandyford was out of service for about two hours afterwards, but resumed before midnight.

A spokeswoman for Connex said the focus of its information campaign had been on road-users to behave "as they should normally behave". This includes not running a red light, not being an "amber gambler", and staying out of tram lanes.

The collision is the latest since the Luas started operating on June 30th with the opening of the Stephen's Green to Sandyford route. At least four collisions between cars and trams have been reported, as well as tram derailments and a collision between two trams.

While the latest collision occurred on the Stephen's Green to Sandyford line, Connex is continuing to run the Connolly to Tallaght service at 10-minute intervals to allow the city's road-users to get used to the new line.

Known as the Red Line, the Connolly to Tallaght service opened less than a month ago, on September 28th, but once the operator decides that road-users have become familiar with and used to the Luas, tram frequency will increase to every five minutes.

On the day the Connolly to Tallaght line opened, there was a minor incident between a car and a tram engaged in test runs at Smithfield, while the day after the Sandyford line opened, there was a similar incident between a tram and car at Harcourt street.

The wing mirror of the car was slightly damaged and the tram was slightly dented.