€100,000 collision prevention project

A COLLISION prevention programme is to be carried out in Kerry this year to help reduce the high level of road deaths in the county.

Last year, there were 19 road fatalities in the county and a number of safety campaigns have been introduced in recent years.

Kerry County Council’s director of roads, Charlie O’Sullivan, said road deaths were a cause for concern, even though the road network had improved significantly in the past 10 years.

There had been a sizeable investment in traffic calming and safety measures and the council had a safety strategy covering the period 2008 to 2012, he added.

Work has commenced on the €100,000 collision prevention project, in co-operation with the gardaí.

High-risk accident locations have been identified and the work covers signage, lining and lighting.

There have been calls, meanwhile, for the roll-out of a successful pilot scheme aimed at reducing speed at Filemore national school, outside Caherciveen.

Flashing speed limit signs have been in place outside the school, which is on the Ring of Kerry road, since 2006, with teachers and parents now recommending their use at other schools.

The lights are programmed to flash brightly three times per day when pupils are most likely to be entering and leaving school.

A long campaign had been waged for the Filemore signs.

Kerry County Council is asking the National Roads Authority to install safety lights at other schools.