Fitzpatrick calls for full review of speed limits on Louth roads

Local Fine Gael TD Peter Fitzpatrick has called for a full review of speed limits currently in place on local and regional roads in Louth following the launch of the ‘Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits’, published by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD.

Commenting on the new guidelines, Deputy Fitzpatrick said speed limits were too high in residential areas of the county and too low in rural areas.

He said: “For some time I have been highlighting the issue of speed limits that are too high in residential areas or limits that are too low in rural areas. The document published today by Minister Donohoe provides advice and guidance to local authorities who have responsibility for speed limits across the country.

Peter Fitzpatrick TD

“There is no doubt that some changes need to be made. Some roads in the bigger towns of Dundalk and Drogheda but also in smaller areas are regularly used as rat runs and therefore carry large volumes of traffic. Lower speed limits in these areas may deter this traffic and make the roads quieter for residents. Equally there are rural roads in very good condition that have speed limits so low that it is difficult to adhere to them. We need to ensure that greater consistency is applied where speed limits are concerned. It is also recommended that speed reviews be carried out every five years.

“New road signage to deal with speed limits in rural areas on minor local roads will be introduced and there will also be new urban ‘Slow Zones’ introduced in residential areas to reduce the speed limit to 30 km/h.

“I very much welcome these new guidelines as they are based on a principle of common sense and are in keeping with international standards. Speed limits for rural roads will be based primarily on road width while in urban areas it will be based on how the road is used and where it is located in relation to the town centre

“Following the review, drivers on narrow country roads in Louth will begin to see a new sign with a white circle with black diagonal stripes. This sign is in use internationally, it will replace the 80km/h sign and will mean that drivers must use their judgement when using the road but must not exceed 80km/h. I believe this sign will come to be recognised as a warning that while you can drive at 80km/h, it may not be the safest option.

“Road safety remains at the centre of these new guidelines. Too many people lose their lives on our roads in Co. Louth. I commend Minister Donohoe for the work he has done in this area and I urge Louth County Council to begin the review without delay.”

McGahon calls for greater safety measures at Scoil Phadraig Naofa in Kilcurry

Cllr John McGahon outside Scoil Phadraig Naofa in Kilcurry

Fine Gael Councillor for Dundalk-Carlingford, John McGahon, has called on Louth County Council to place protective railings and bollards outside Scoil Phadraig Naofa in Kilcurry.

Cllr McGahon placed a motion on the matter at a recent meeting of the Dundalk Municipal Committee.

Commenting on the matter, he said: “For a number of years, the issue of road safety has always been a prevalent one outside Scoil Phadraig Naofa. The school have already done a tremendous amount of work in trying to reduce the risk of an accident happening on the R177. Only last year the school were awarded their fourth Green Flag for their transport policy.

”Road safety outside urban and rural schools is a very important issue and its one which I intend to campaign on throughout my five year term as a local councillor for Dundalk and North Louth. Council officials have told me that the situation at the school will be examined and a report prepared as to what the next steps will be.

“I am calling on the council officials to produce this report as a matter of great urgency. We cannot run the risk of an accident happening. This is a protective measure that will greatly enhance the security and safety of the 220 pupils of Scoil Phadraig Naofa,” he said.

The search is on for Ireland’s Safest Young Driver

Mayo GAA star Cillian O’Connor is supporting the Ireland’s Safest Young Driver competition

Young drivers across the country are being urged to sign up to take part in a major road safety challenge which could earn one of them the title of ‘Ireland’s Safest Young Driver’ and the chance to drive free for a year.

The competition, which will put the driving skills of more than 60 young drivers from across Ireland to the test using innovative in-car ‘black box’ technology, is organised by leading accident services provider CRASH and supported by the Hooper Dolan Insurance Group.

Young drivers aged between 17 and 21 who make it to the shortlist – which will include young men and women from every county in Ireland – will have their vehicles fitted with Ingenium Dynamics, an award-winning driver behaviour management system which will monitor and help to improve their driving habits over a 10-week period as part of a wider campaign to promote road safety awareness.

The young driver with the best overall driving score will win a total prize fund worth €4,000 to help keep them driving over the next full year.

This includes €1,500 towards insurance, €1,500 towards fuel costs and €1,000 towards other motoring costs.  Each provincial winner will also receive €500 towards motoring costs.

Tony McKeown, Sales and Marketing Director at CRASH, said: “As one of Ireland’s leading provider of accident services, we know only too well the devastating impact accidents can have on people’s lives.

“Younger drivers in Ireland remain most at risk and in need of guidance on road safety issues. We hope that this competition will help to raise awareness of those issues in an exciting way that will help to focus their attention and allow them to learn along on the way.

“We very much want to promote the use of the telematics systems to monitor and improve overall driver behaviour.  This is being used by some insurers in Ireland to reward young drivers with lower premiums and we think this will only increase in the future.”

Once installed inside the vehicle, the ‘black box’ continuously measures speed, geo-positioning, braking force, rate of acceleration and severity of cornering. The data is transmitted by a SIM card to a central computer where it is processed and assessment is made as to whether the driving behaviour is low, medium or high risk.

The competition is open to eligible young drivers aged between 17 and 21 who meet the required qualifying criteria and have their online applications returned by the closing date of Friday 21^st February 2014.

To find out more about the competition, please visit www.ingeniumdynamics.ie, email info@crashservices.com or call freephone 01 524 5004.

Louth County Council urge people to ‘Gift A Lift’ this Christmas

The Gift A Lift card

With the festive party season underway, Lotuh County Council recently launched their ‘Gift A Lift’ road safety campaign.

The idea of the campaign is that you commit to give a family member or friend one lift home or to organise a taxi for them over the festive season using the specially designed Gift A Lift card.

The gift card is available free to download at www.louthcoco.ie or can be collected from local authority offices, Motor Tax offices, public libraries and museums throughout the county.

Road Safety Officer, Angela Muckian, said: “Road users need to be extra careful at this time of year when roads are at their busiest.  Act responsibly: don’t drive if you’ve been drinking.  Stay alert, slow down and always wear a seatbelt.  Anyone cycling or walking should always wear bright, reflective clothing.  Don’t let your actions bring tragedy to any family this Christmas.  The Gift of a Lift could be a gift of life  –  priceless!”

Inspector Paul Kiernan, Garda Road Traffic Corp, welcomed the initiative and advised people to plan their journeys in advance.  He said: “We are reminding drivers to plan ahead when going out for a drink over the holiday period.  Leave the keys at home, get a taxi or use public transport, designate a driver and take part in Louth County Council’s Gift A Lift initiative.  Make the roads a safer place this Christmas.  Last year An Garda Síochána detected 862 people driving under the influence so if you drink and drive this Christmas, prepare to be caught!”