Fatal flaw in Rules of the Road booklet
Apparently a new version is being prepared by the Department of Transport (DoT).
The last edition was prepared in conjunction with the motoring organisations, but there was no consultation with anyone representing pedestrians, cyclists, etc, or anyone with expertise in the causes of road accidents.
Unsurprisingly, for example, it says that pedestrians and cyclists are “difficult to see” and “not readily visible to motorists”.
This is justification for driving carelessly or too fast. The Rules of the Road should give advice; motorists have a duty of care to other road users.
It contains numerous oddities and omissions.
It even starts with a contradiction, saying it is not an interpretation of the law, although clearly it is.
The British version differentiates between legal requirements and advice for safe driving, while pointing out that a failure to follow the highway code could make a driver liable for any consequential accident. The introduction to the Irish version seems to be saying it is nothing more than good manners.
The DoT have rejected approaches from individuals and organisations representing pedestrians, cyclists, equestrians, victims and dedicated road safety interests to be part of the consultation process, so it seems the new version is going to be written by civil servants without any specialised knowledge or expertise in road safety, under the aegis of the road lobby.
The DoT, in its Road to Safety document, rejects the need for proper training and education for motorists (but not pedestrians and cyclists), instead relying on its ‘holy trinity’ of speeding, seat belts and alcohol.
This is nonsense. We all know that most accidents are caused by lack of skill and carelessness, as well as psychological and physical human factors, and until this is tackled we can expect Ireland’s roads to continue to become more and more dangerous.
Michael Job
Rossnagrena
Glengarriff
Co Cork
