[PR] Slow Down and Expect the Unexpected - RSA's Message for Bank Holiday

Victor

http://www.rsa.ie/NEWS/News/Navigation.html

Slow Down and Expect the Unexpected is the RSA’s Safety Message this May Bank Holiday

As the May Bank Holiday approaches, The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is renewing its safety message to Slow Down and Expect the Unexpected. Speed is the number one killer behaviour on our roads and following the recent launch of its anti-speeding campaign “Mess” the RSA is pleading with drivers, particularly young males, to keep their speed in check and take extra care

Bank holidays are high risk periods due to the increased volume of traffic on the roads and the tendency to drink and drive is higher, especially in fine weather. Almost 60% of fatal crashes take place over weekends and over the past five years the May bank holiday has claimed 27 lives

Noel Brett, Chief Executive, Road Safety Authority stated: “We are asking parents to discuss the new anti-speeding TV ad with their teenagers / young adults so that they understand the consequences of speeding and other forms of dangerous driving. If parents are loaning a vehicle this weekend we ask them to be aware of the circumstances. For example who is driving and are they responsible? What and where is the event they are travelling to? Will there be alcohol consumed? Be firm, refusing to loan the vehicle could save a life.”
“We are also appealing to women: mothers, sisters, girlfriends to get the safety message across to their men to slow down and expect the unexpected. Young Irish men are particularly vulnerable with car crashes being their number one killer. 17 to 24 year old males account for over 1 in 5 driver deaths (22%) yet this age group represent just 6% of the population”, Mr. Brett added.

As the country prepares to celebrate this May Bank Holiday, The Road Safety Authority is supporting the enforcement activity of An Garda Síochána who will be carrying out speed and alcohol checks throughout the country. For those intending to travel by road over the coming weekend the Road Safety Authority has the following advice:

Drivers

Always drive at a safe speed appropriate to the conditions and circumstances.
Never ever drink and drive and don’t let others drink and drive. Use an alternative form of transport or appoint a designated driver.
Wear a seat belt and ensure all passengers front and rear are wearing theirs too.
Watch out for revellers travelling on the roads and expect the unexpected.
Take frequent breaks. Do not drive if tired.
Plan your journey in advance and set off as early as possible to avoid heavy traffic.
When on holiday be extra alert as drivers have a tendency to relax their guard. Be especially attentive if driving on unfamiliar roads around your holiday destination.
Expect the unexpected and take particular care with vulnerable road users, pedestrians, cyclist and motorcycle users.
Make sure your vehicle is in good working order, i.e. your lights and brakes are functioning properly and your tyres are the proper tread depth (1.6 mm)
Pedestrians

Walk on a footpath, not in the road.
Walk on the right hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths.
Be seen. Wear high visibility clothing. If walking at night wear reflective clothing and carry a torch.
Alcohol is probably a factor in a quarter of pedestrian deaths each year. Consume alcohol in moderation if intending to walk home from a social event particularly in unlit rural areas.
Motorcyclists

Don’t weave in and out of traffic.
Avoid driver’s blind spots.
Use your headlights day and night.
Ends


For further information contact The Road Safety Authority on Lo Call: 1890 50 60 80

Stark

Well at no point did Monty Python's Spanish Inquistion jump out at me this weekend