Road users asked to light up on darkest days

Authorities have urged caution among road-users ahead of national ‘Be Safe, Be Seen’ day this week.

The event, which will be held on Tuesday to coincide with the shortest and darkest days of the year, aims to raise awareness of the benefits of greater visibility for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

Among the most vulnerable of road-users, cyclists and pedestrians are reminded to wear hi-vis vests, and motorists are instructed to use dipped headlights during the day when driving.

"With fewer hours of daylight, it is even more important for people to be visible when out on the roads," said Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe.

“In particular, parents should encourage their children to wear hi-vis gear when walking or cycling to school to help ensure they can be clearly seen by other road-users,” he added.

Latest statistics reveal that of the 151 people who have lost their lives on Irish roads so far this year, almost 40 per cent were cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians.

Nearly 30 pedestrians have died over the last 12 months, but this year’s total looks likely to provide a decrease on the 193 road deaths recorded in 2014 and will be the first year-on-year improvement since 2012 if so.

"In recent years, we have seen a significant increase in the number of people walking and cycling to school, work or for leisure purposes, and it is encouraging to see so many of these road-users wearing high visibility material when out on the roads," said Moyagh Murdoch of the Road Safety Authority (RSA).

“Children are the most vulnerable of our road-users so it is really important that we as parents and educators teach our children how to be safe when using the road,” she added.

On that point, RSA partner agency the ESB says it has distributed over 85,000 hi-vis vests to schoolchildren around the country this year, and is providing active support to national 'Be Safe, Be Seen' day 2015.