Trucks still speed, report claims

TRUCKS are involved in a fifth of all fatalities on Irish roads, according to new figures.

The statistics come as a forthcoming report will indicate the vast majority of lorries break speed limits.

Statistics compiled by the National Safety Council show that 494 people died on roads in crashes involving trucks between 1996 and 2001, out of a total of 2,622 road fatalities.

Of the 494 deaths, 72 were truck drivers, representing 15% of the deaths involving goods vehicles.

The vast majority (85%) of fatalities were among other road users. Of those:

Car users accounted for 51% of the fatalities.

Pedestrians made up 19% of fatalities.

Motorcyclists accounted for 7%.

Cyclists made up 6%.

“Goods vehicles are involved in about 20% of crashes and fatal crashes on average,” said Pat Costello, chief executive of the National Safety Council.

“We’re not saying they are responsible, just that they are involved,” he said.

He said drivers in small cars were 50% more likely to die than truck drivers in accidents involving a car and a goods vehicle.

“The ‘just in time’ principle can cause problems, particularly with the volume of traffic on the road and remedial works going on, that can lead to delays, and they try to make up lost time,” said Mr Costello.

A report by the National Roads Authority is expected to show while the speed of most road users has fallen, trucks driver speed has not improved.

According to Supt Liam Collins of the Dublin Metropolitan Traffic Unit many truckers are blatantly disregarding the law.

“The trucks have speed limiters that kick in once the truck surpasses the limit. But some trucks get around that,” he said.