More killed on roads than during the Troubles

MORE people have been killed on the country’s roads in the past nine years than have lost their lives during the North’s Troubles.

Macra na Feirme president Colm Markey used the startling comparison over the weekend when outlining key measures to help address the weekly carnage in traffic accidents.

He said the figures clearly indicate there are too many road deaths and, while the finger was being pointed at young people, the issue was probably more about inexperience than age.

“We need to focus on how we are training people to drive and the habits we are giving them when putting them out on the road. We also need to focus on safety awareness.”

Mr Markey said Macra felt it had a responsibility to make young people aware of the concerns, but also to ensure that all young people are not tarnished with the one brush.

“It is also important to recognise there are young people out there who are being very responsible, especially in the area of drink driving, and they are not getting recognition for it.”

Macra’s proposals, including a call for the introduction of road safety education in secondary schools, were highlighted at its annual conference in Portlaoise.

Mr Markey said the issue of safe driving was vitally important for an organisation with 8,000 members, who are in the 17-35 age bracket. Macra, he said, believed the emphasis should be on changing driver behaviour.

The proposals include the introduction of a trainee licence, an emphasis on speeding and holding a road safety seminar in all secondary schools immediately. Mr Markey said that under the trainee licence proposal people would be allowed to drive only while accompanied by a qualified instructor. This would ensure that drivers pick up good habits.

“After the completion of five lessons, the learner driver would then be eligible to apply for a provisional license. This system would be implemented instead of the failed accompanying driver rule,” he said.

Suggesting that all 5th-year students be given a one-day training course in road safety, he said the Road Safety Authority should begin work on designing and delivering this course as a matter of urgency.

The course should include content from the Road Safety Authority, the Gardaí, the motor insurance industry and accident victims or their families.

Long term, a road safety module should be included as part of the secondary school curriculum.

“The reality is that in rural areas the car is the only viable means of transport for young people.

“So it’s important that we use every possible opportunity to educate people about the risks and encourage them to drive safely,” he said.