Plea to drivers ahead of Easter weekend

Twenty-two people have been killed in Easter road cashes over the last five years, it emerged today.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) said a further 52 people were also seriously injured in bank holiday collisions during the same time.

Safety chiefs warned that one of five driver deaths in Ireland were as a result of driver fatigue, when a motorist begins to nod off behind of the wheel of a car.

RSA Chief Executive Noel Brett said scientific studies prove that driver fatigue is as dangerous as driving when over the drink drive limit.

“Many people are simply unaware of the risks involved when you are a tired driver,” he said.

“The reality is, driving while tired affects your ability to react to hazards and, in some cases, can be fatal.

“It could be a contributory factor in up to 20% of driver deaths in Ireland.”

The RSA said research indicates that drivers who persist in fighting sleep can experience ’micro sleeps’ whereby they will drift in and out of consciousness for up to 10 seconds during which time a driver has no control over the vehicle.

Mr Brett said drivers may be unaware that they are experiencing a ’micro sleep’ until it’s too late.

“Many drivers can experience ’micro sleeps’ with their eyes wide open,” he continued.

“If a driver has a ’micro sleep’ for just four seconds while travelling at a speed of 100 km/h, the car will have travelled 111 metres without a driver in control. Simply put, 111 metres is almost one and a half times the width of Croke Park. That is how far the car will have travelled with no-one in control.”

Drivers were advised to stop driving when tired, take two cups of coffee or other caffeine drinks, and take a 15 minute nap before resuming.

Gardai have also warned that significant extra resources will be deployed this weekend to target road users and drink drivers.

Officers said that the St Patrick’s Day holiday period saw a 25% increase in detected drink driving incidents compared to the same period in 2007.

A garda spokesman added: “All road users are once again asked to be vigilant and to take all necessary steps to ensure their safety and the safety of other road users.

“Drivers should remember that inappropriate speed is the single greatest contributory factor to road deaths and serious injuries, and so they should slow down and ensure they allow plenty of time to get to their destinations.”

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Noel Dempsey reiterated calls for safe driving.

He said: “Once again we have the opportunity as a nation to stand up and take responsibility for our driving behaviour over the coming Easter break. In 2005 we had only one death and seven serious injuries compared to nine deaths in 2006 over the same period.

“Why can’t we all think about that before we get into a car over the next few days. I urge everyone to slow down, belt up, don’t drink and drive or drive when very tired.”