Smith urges safety on the roads this Bank Holiday weekend
Labour transport spokesperson Duncan Smith has issued a reminder to all drivers this bank holiday weekend to be careful on the roads.
Deputy Smith said:
“There have been far too many tragic accidents on our roads already in 2024 with 55 lives lost. Grief from awful tragedies has touched too many communities and Government has failed to respond in a meaningful way.
“Twenty years ago, we put a huge focus on road safety and it worked to bring down fatalities on our roads. We need to see that focus from Government again. It has to be evidence-based so that drivers can adjust their behaviour.
“I was struck by Pat O’Connor, the Public Information Officer of the Coroner’s Society of Ireland, speaking on radio this morning. He has identified that a refresher course for all drivers after a ten-year period may be helpful to ensure safe driving, even among experienced drivers.
“While the Garda Easter Bank Holiday road safety enforcement campaign is welcome, we need to see more. I have previously called for greater roll out of speed vans throughout the country and particularly in accident black spots.
“More must be done to alert young and less experienced drivers to the dangers of the roads. The RSA has produced a number of very powerful ads for the television. I would urge Government to work to roll more of these ads and information videos across digital platforms like TikTok too.”