New road safety initiatives to target bad habits on our roads

THIS year, Irish Road Safety Week (IRSW) takes place from Monday, October 7, to Sunday, October 13, with lots of road safety activities planned. From ensuring the child seats in your car are suitably safe for your offspring to ensuring you are never distracted by a mobile phone while driving, the week will be full of invaluable tips about how to drive safely on our roads.

Last year there were 136 fatal collisions resulting in 143 fatalities on Irish roads. Of the 143 fatalities, there were 57 drivers were killed. 20 passengers died in accidents while 42 pedestrians were killed.

15 motorcyclists died in tragedies on our roads along with nine cyclists.

May had the lowest number of fatalities in 2018, when four people were killed on our roads. The most deaths occurred in April (17) and June (16) – months in which road fatalities were heard about every other day on our radios and screens.

The average number of deaths per month in 2018 (12 deaths per month) is less than the monthly average in 2017 (13). Sunday (30) was the most dangerous day in 2018, followed by Tuesday (23).

The Road Safety Authority, Our National Road Safety Education Service, has several initiatives this month to ensure people, especially our youths, learn about the importance of taking simple precautions while driving and being in a vehicle. Here’s the list of what’s happening so far: Wednesday, October 9: This is Tyre Safety Day. A copy of ‘Your guide to Tyre Safety’, which includes information on buying second hand tyres, can be downloaded on the Road Safety Authority website. Irish Tyre Industry Association (ITIA) members around Ireland are inviting all motorists to call in for a FREE tyre pressure check and thread depth inspection during RSA Road Safety Week A visit to www.itia.ie will lead motorists to their nearest ITIA registered dealer.

The Road Safety Authority will be airing its winter ready radio advert throughout the week. As the winter months are approaching its time to make sure your vehicle is maintained ahead of the winter season.

Friday, October 11: Child Safety Day will incorporate lots of Road Safety Activities including Beep Beep Day and Check

It Fits.

National ‘Beep Beep Day’ takes place during Child Safety Day. Beep Beep Day is a chance for pre-schoolers to learn road safety skills from a young age. The Road Safety Authority are providing Beep Beep packs to pre-school providers on a first come, first served basis.

Check it Fits, the RSA’s free child car seat checking service in partnership with Toyota, will be visiting locations around the country during Irish Road Safety Week including Child Safety Day. For more details on these and other locations please visit the Check it Fits section of the RSA website.

All this month, the RSA will also be distributing its ‘Back to School’ pack to secondary students, while Seatbelt Sheriff and Hi Glo Silver will be making an appearance at primary level.

Meanwhile the Road Safety Authority will be travelling the length and breadth of the country, delivering road safety education programmes to crèches, schools, universities, workplaces and communities throughout the week.