Pre-road training for L drivers urged
Fine Gael transport spokesperson Olivia Mitchell said the number of deaths of motorcyclists is unacceptable. They are 17 times more likely to die on the road than car drivers, she said.
“The recommendation in the Road Safety Strategy for compulsory training for new young drivers, prior to going on the road at all, must be introduced. Calls for motorbike specific specialist testing must be heeded, she said.
Twelve motorcyclists have died this year, including the latest road traffic victim, a 21-year-old from Louth, who died following a single vehicle smash on Saturday.
His death brought to 75 the number of people who have died on the roads this year. Sixty-nine people died in the same period last year.
A promising young rugby player was one of the two 18-year-olds killed in a horror crash in Galway.
Marcus Scully from Ardrahan was a member of the Garbally College, Ballinasloe, rugby team.
He died at University College Hospital from injuries sustained in a two-car crash a few miles from his home outside Gort on Friday night. Cathal Geoghegan, also from Ardrahan, also died in the crash. Mr Geoghegan, an apprentice carpenter, was pronounced death at the scene while Mr Scully, who was repeating his Leaving Certificate at Garbally College, died later at University College Hospital Galway.
The driver and passenger of the other car involved in the collision are being treated for their injuries at University College Hospital.
The 21-year-old motorcyclist who died on Saturday afternoon was named as John O’Brien, of Tallanstown, Co Louth. His bike went out of control and crashed at Lisrenny close to his home village.
The fourth person to die over the weekend was a pedestrian. Nicholas Riley, 56, was struck by a car late on Friday night in his home village of Castlemartin in Co Meath. Mr Riley died at the scene.
He is the 10th pedestrian to die this year.
Meanwhile, a move to stop renegade Northern drivers escape penalties for speeding in the Republic is to be considered today.
TDs, MPs and other politicians from North and South as well as Britain will hear how police are powerless under existing arrangements.
The British Irish Parliamentary Body is expected at a meeting in Bundoran to approve a report urging mutual recognition of penalty points.
Senator Jim Higgins, MEP for Connacht-Ulster, said: “I am appalled at the flagrant disregard for speed limits in the Republic by drivers in Northern-registered cars.”
