Survey finds improved driver attitude to safety

The insurance industry has reported a significant improvement in Irish motorists' attitude to road safety.

The Irish Insurance Federation says its latest survey has found a fall in the numbers who admit to speeding.

Although the results show drivers’ attitudes to road safety have improved on last year, the survey – commissioned by the Irish Insurance Federation (IIF) - found major changes have to be made.

Noel Brett, of the Road Safety Authority, said although fewer drivers claim to drink drive, speed and drive while tired, people who persist in “killer” behaviour have to be targeted.

Calls were also made for more gardaí on the roads.

“While the results of this survey are a cause for optimism, we have got to sustain the level of road safety we have achieved in the last 12 months and do better,” said Mr Brett.

“I would appeal to all drivers to keep up the good behaviour. It really is a matter of life and death.

“While the vast majority of road users are changing their behaviour there is a minority who persist in killer behaviour like speeding, drinking and driving and driving recklessly. These are the people we now have to target.”

So far this year, 208 people have been killed in road accidents, with eight of those fatalities in August. The figure – down by 40 on the same period last year - includes over 80 drivers and almost 50 pedestrians.

The report revealed that drivers believe the penalty points system and random breath testing is effective, but 9 out of 10 want the Government to do more.

Meanwhile, 52% said loosing their driving licence would be the most effective deterrent against drink driving, with a fine and penalty points discouraging speeding.

Lansdowne Market Research quizzed 929 motorists in May for the survey.

It found:

56% break the speed limit, down 14% on 2006.

10% drink drive, while six out of 10 believe they would be caught if driving while over the legal alcohol limit.

40% drive while holding and talking on a mobile phone, with almost 20% texting while driving.

57% drive when tired, while more than two out of 10 admitted to dangerous overtaking and three out of 10 had road rage.

20% do not wearing a seat belt.

Younger males were the most likely to admit to road safety transgressions, particularly speeding.

Munster motorists were least likely to believe they would be caught, while motorists in Leinster (excluding Dublin) were most likely to believe they would be caught.

“It is heartening to see a change in people’s attitudes towards road safety,” said Brendan Murphy, IIF’s Deputy-President.

“Many of the statistics quoted in the report have improved since last year.

“The legislation on Random Breath Testing combined with an increased enforcement effort from the Gardaí are directly related to the decrease in fatalities on our roads.

“However, the survey also demonstrates that there is still a lot of work to do.”

Mr Murphy said getting breath test numbers up to 30,000 per month has been a good achievement, but stressed the simple deterrent of having a visible Garda presence on roads cannot be underestimated.

“I would urge the new Minister for Justice to honour his predecessor’s commitments directing both full-time and reserve Garda resources into road traffic law enforcement,” he added.