NRA should not have to rely on local council help to provide motorway rest stops

WITH reference to your recent report headlined ‘NRA seeks local authority help over service area plans’ , I find it preposterous that the Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey, will not be allowing the NRA to fund rest stops along motorways.

According to research from the RSA, one in 10 drivers admits to falling asleep at the wheel.

The RSA recommends drivers take a nap as well as consume a caffeinated drink.

With the lack of adequate government-funded rest stops, how would this be possible?

As of now the only way to take a nap on a long stretch of motorway with no exit in sight is to pull over to an unsafe exposed parking area and endanger yourself and other motorists. There are no facilities, lighting, bins, services or crash barriers in these areas.

They are constantly filled with litter and many motorists would not be confident napping in such an area.

The NRA should not have to seek help from local authorities. Safety is paramount.

What is the point of the Government-funded RSA if the Department of Transport is not going to fund the necessary rest stops to keep our motorways safe for all users.

Nicola-Marie O’Riordan

Clifton View

Ballintemple

Blackrock

Co Cork