Bank Holiday road safety campaign launched

A week-long road safety campaign was launched today in a bid to save lives ahead of the October Bank Holiday weekend.

The campaign, running from October 23 until the high-risk holiday, urges motorists to stay alert by taking frequent breaks when driving long distances and plan the route before setting out.

Noel Brett, chief executive of the Road Safety Authority (RSA), said: “Drowsy drivers could be responsible for a significant number of crashes on Irish roads and research undertaken in the UK, Australia and the US shows fatigue to be comparable to alcohol in its impact on road safety.

“Falling asleep at the wheel is said to be preceded by extreme sleepiness that drivers are aware of but often ignore. If drivers are fighting sleep at the wheel it is at this point that they must stop, take a 15 minute break and take a caffeine drink. Tactics such as turning up the volume on the radio and opening the window do not work.”

As part of Road Safety Week, funded by Centra and in conjunction with the RSA, the chain has identified 12 key stores on main motorway and holiday traffic routes which will serve free coffee to designated drivers on Saturday, October 25. Centra will also run safety messages across national radio stations and in-store in the lead-up to the Bank Holiday weekend in a bid to stop unnecessary deaths after 44 people lost their lives on the roads in October last year.

The stores will also be giving away road safety items such as reflector belts.

Michelle Fennell, from Centra, said: “We know that if a driver persists in fighting sleep while driving the impairment level is the same as driving while over the drink drive limit. We also know that pedestrians account for one in five road deaths.

"Centra, working with the Road Safety Authority, is encouraging drivers to plan their routes this Bank Holiday and take breaks when driving long distances and have a free cup of coffee, which Centra will be providing to designated drivers at selected stores on the main roads and Bank Holiday routes.”

Ms Fennell also urged people to take heed of wearing the reflective gear whilst walking or cycling, due to the reduced hours of daylight as winter approaches.

Niamh O’Connor, a nutrition expert with the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute, said to help to stay alert before they get behind the wheel people should eat protein-rich foods such as sandwiches with fillings including cheese, chicken, meat and vegetables.

She said slow release carbohydrate foods are also important such as wholegrain breakfast cereals, whole-wheat pasta and fruit.