MORE THAN 50 people have been killed on Irish roads so far this year. The good work in improving road safety standards and reducing the number of fatalities over the past five years is at risk of being cancelled out. This rapid rise in the number of road deaths, up by almost one-third in 12 weeks, is a matter of serious concern. It reflects a degree of public complacency and a reversion to bad old habits that cannot be tolerated.
The Garda Síochána focused on dangerous behaviour on the roads over the St Patrick’s weekend. A special emphasis was placed on speeding and on the detection of those driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Last year, more than 1,100 detections and prosecutions took place in these categories.
Arson attacks on two privatised speed camera vans in recent weeks represent an extremely worrying development. It has taken years of public pressure to secure the funding necessary to provide this basic road safety monitoring service and it must not be jeopardised. It shows how far some individuals will go to protect their own dangerous and illegal behaviour on the roads.
Assistant Garda Commissioner John Twomey said the van personnel were attempting to save lives through road safety initiatives, but had found their own lives placed in danger. The sooner those involved are arrested and charged, the better.
Privatised speed cameras will be deployed at 600 clearly identified locations across the State. Each location will be monitored for an unspecified number of hours each month by the Go Safe consortium that won the contract. The work will be in addition to Garda speed checkpoints.
The rising death toll on the roads is a reminder that complacency can kill. There must be no reversion to the unthinking, irresponsible and dangerous behaviour of the not-so-distant past when drink-driving and speeding did not attract the stigma they do today. Observing speed limits, wearing seat belts and staying away from alcohol and drugs when driving have made life much safer on our roads.
These changes in conduct were prompted by more intensive Garda enforcement. The Road Safety Authority has now identified badly maintained lights as a major threat and has appealed to drivers to check their vehicles. Many cars travel with only one headlamp and if mistaken for a motorcycle, serious collisions can occur. Similarly, fog lamps should be turned off when not required. These simple, basic measures can save lives.