Stay safe this June Bank Holiday weekend
By Mary Dennehy
ALL road users are being urged to take extra care over the coming days, after six people lost their lives on Irish roads over the June Bank Holiday in 2017.
As part of their safety message this year, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Siochana are appealing to motorcycle riders to Bike Safe, with provisional figures recording 27 motorcycle fatalities in Dublin since 2010.
An examination of forensic collision investigation files published in 2016 by the RSA found that almost a third of motorcyclists involved in fatal collisions between 2008 and 2012 had consumed alcohol and that bikers speeding was a factor is almost half of all motorcyclist deaths.
Garda Commissioner Mr Donál Ó Cualáin said: "Motorcyclists are among our most vulnerable of road users because they have very little protection in the event of a crash.
“You can help reduce this vulnerability by taking some very simple steps.
“Wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and high visibility clothing to make yourself visible to other road-users plus ride with your dipped headlight on.
“Show restraint and reduce your speed, and never ever ride impaired.
“Over the coming months An Garda Síochána will engage with motorcyclists and use a mixture of educational and enforcement measures to reduce motorcycling casualties.”
According to Assistant Commissioner David Sheehan, Roads Policing, An Garda Síochana: “This is not only a safety message for motorcyclists.
“Drivers need to look and look again for that motorcycle, especially when overtaking or turning right.”
According to Garda stats, there were 152 arrests on suspicion of driving under the influence over the June Bank Holiday 2017.
Drivers are reminded that the RSA and Applegreen have teamed up again to help drivers tackle tiredness behind the wheel over the June Bank Holiday Weekend by providing free cups of coffee to drivers between 2pm and 8pm on Friday, June 1, and Monday, June 4.
Simply say ‘RSA’ to the till operator to avail of a free coffee.
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