Day 1 – Construction Safety Week 2021

According to the Road Safety Authority (RSA), there were 137 fatal collisions, resulting in 148 fatalities on Irish roads in 2020. This represented 8 more deaths, when compared with 2019. Whilst the trend up until 2018 was of a decreasing number of fatalities on Irish Roads, figures for 2019 and 2020 saw an upward trajectory
Driver and passenger fatalities represented almost 60% of fatalities in 2020 while vulnerable road users (i.e. pedestrians, cyclist, motorcyclist and other) represented 41% of fatalities. Saturday was the most dangerous day on Irish roads in 2020, with 29 fatalities. Of the 85 drivers and passengers killed in seatbelt-equipped motor vehicles in 2020, 26% were not wearing a seatbelt.

Day 1. 25 October 2021

Drive Safe
Unfortunately, many people die on our roads every year. Up to 21 September this year, 114 fatalities occurred on Irish roads.

Category	2021 (up to 21/09/’21)
Driver	57
Passenger	13
Pedestrian	12
Pedal Cyclist	4
Motorcyclist	19
tbc.	1
Totals	106

Reportedly, 1 in 10 drivers admit to regularly texting while driving. According to the Road Safety Authority (RSA), drivers are 4-times more likely to crash if using a handheld phone while driving, and texting increases the risk substantially.
Of the 85 drivers and passengers killed in seatbelt-equipped motor vehicles in 2020, over a quarter (26%) were not wearing a seatbelt.

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Be Winter Ready
The main objectives of the ‘Be Winter-Ready’ information campaign are:• To provide practical advice on how best to prepare for the coming winter.

• To ensure the public are aware of where advice and help can be found, if needed, and

• To reassure the public that preparations are being made and arrangements have been put in place to ensure a coordinated response to severe weather events.
Is Your Journey Absolutely Necessary?

In extreme weather conditions you should ask yourself if making a journey by road is absolutely necessary.

Is Your Vehicle Winter-Ready?

• Check your vehicle’s owner’s manual and find out if it has any safety assist technology e.g. ABS

• Check the owners manual for instructions in the event you have to be towed, ( location of towing eye etc), this is especially important for trucks and buses

• Get your vehicle serviced to ensure it is fit and safe

• Carry out regular checks on the vehicle

For more information check the “be-winter-ready” link

What Can You Do?

Be aware of the four ‘killer-driving behaviours’ reported by An Gardai Síochána, which are:
(a) speeding
(b) drink and/or drug-driving
(c) not fastening seat belts, and
(d) using a mobile phone while driving.

Plan your travel, monitor weather forecasts, and undertake regular checks of your vehicle(s) to include

All lights clean and functioning
Tyre condition and thread depth (minimum limit of 1.6 mm, with 3 mm recommended for winter driving)
Windscreen wipers (no cracks, tears, or splits in the rubber)
Fill your washer bottle with windscreen wash
Service to schedule (inclusive of addition of anti-freeze to engine coolant)
Battery capacity (if greater than 3 years old, should be checked)
Carry a de-icer spray (Tip: to make your own, add 1-part white vinegar to 3-parts water)