Motorcyclists should get training, urges safety council

PEOPLE who drive motorcycles should get training — no matter how skilled they think they are, or how long they have been riding bikes.

The National Safety Council insists training is needed following the deaths of 41 motorcyclists this year. For the same period in August last year 22 motorcyclists were killed on our roads.

The latest motorcyclist to die was a 28-year-old from Co Waterford. One of three people killed on Thursday, he died when his bike skidded out of control and into the path of an oncoming car at Kilmurrin, Bonmahon, at 12.50pm.

"Motorcycling can be safe with training," said NSC spokesman Brian Farrell. "Unfortunately, according to our own research, seven out of 10 motorcyclists do not have any form of training whatsoever before getting up on a bike."

August got off to a grim start with 10 road deaths in the first eight days of the month.

On Thursday, a young woman fell from a moving car near Dublin Airport roundabout and was struck by a van that was coming behind. And a man in his mid-70s died when his car overturned at Tooreenagreanna, Rockchapel, Cork, at lunchtime. Neither has been named.

Yesterday a woman was killed and two other injured in a road crash in Co Mayo.

Gardaí in Ballindine are investigating the crash, which happened at 12.40pm on the N17.

The latest carnage prompted the NSC to issue a "back to basics" safety message:

* Drive at the appropriate speed for the prevailing conditions not just the speeds posted at the side of the road

* Never drink and drive there is no safe limit of alcoholic consumption for drivers

* All car occupants should wear the seat belt, front and rear, no matter how short the journey