Gardaí to target speeding motorists over St Patrick's festival
"We're appealing to drivers to stop speeding and that is the key message," said NSC chief executive Pat Costello. "Slowing down is just one simple way we can increase our chances of survival."
Chief Supt Denis Fitzpatrick, head of the Garda National Traffic Bureau, said a quarter of all road deaths could be prevented if drivers slowed down. For those who persisted in speeding the message was simple: "You will be caught, fined, receive penalty points, and could eventually lose your licence."
Chief Supt Fitzpatrick advised anyone who witnesses dangerous driving to call the Traffic Watch lo-call number 1890 205 805. "Try to get the make, colour and registration number of the vehicle and the direction in which it is heading," he added. "Don't leave it to others to call us your call could save a life."
At the moment, the NSC is screening its TV penalty points speeding commercial, on the theme "It's no holiday if you get caught speeding and if you end up killing or seriously injuring someone".
Although 25 more people have been killed on the roads compared with the same period last year, there has been a dramatic fall in road fatalities this month. So far 10 people have died, compared with 33 up to the same time in March 2002.
More than 100,000 penalty points have been issued to drivers. Under the penalty points system, Mr Costello noted there are only three offences at the moment speeding, no insurance and lack of seat belts.
But in the legislation there were 69 offences to which points can be applied and he suggested the Minister for Transport should introduce these as soon as possible.
"We have to realise that using the roads is the most dangerous thing we do every day," said Mr Costello. "Being a daily routine we are conditioned by constant road usage into being over-optimistic about our safety and over-confident about our ability to survive. This makes us underestimate the risks and we are not prepared when the unexpected happens."
The NSC has the following advice for people who are intending to travel by road:
Always drive at an appropriate speed for the conditions and circumstances.
Never drink and drive.
Wear a seat belt and ensure passengers wear theirs.
Take frequent short breaks to avoid driver fatigue.
Be especially alert if driving on unfamiliar roads.
Mature Enjoyment of Alcohol in Society (MEAS) is encouraging people to designate a driver if they plan to drink on St Patrick's Day. The campaign is supported by the two vintners' bodies and the off-licence association.
"In the same way that you might plan where to meet and where you will go on a night out, we're asking people to also plan who's going to stick to alcohol-free drinks for the evening so that everyone can get home safely," said MEAS chief executive Fionnuala Sheehan.
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