The message from the Donegal Road Safety Working Group this summer is for motorists to drive with extra care over the summer months.
“We are appealing to everyone who will use our roads this summer to exercise extra care at this time of year when on the road, as there will be a lot more traffic with people driving long distances for holidays or to visit family and friends” says Brian O’Donnell Donegal Road Safety Officer.
Summertime is one of the most dangerous times on our roads with 100 people losing their lives during the two months of July and August from 2014 to 2016.
July is statistically the worst month of the year for road fatalities with 58 deaths during that same period.
Drink driving continues to be a major contributory factor to road fatalities and April 2017 saw more arrests for driving while impaired than in any single month since 2012. Consuming any alcohol impairs driving and increases the risk of a collision and saving lives on Irish roads requires a zero-tolerance attitude to drink driving.
Brian O’Donnell is appealing to people not to drink and drive. “As we head into the Summer holiday period, I am making a particular appeal to all drivers not to drive after you have consumed alcohol. Even one alcoholic drink should be avoided if you are going to drive. As you hear people say ‘just the one’, keep in mind that just one drink will impair your driving ability and judgement with potentially tragic consequences. Too often motorists take a risk and make the wrong decision. Is that risk worth a life?”
The death of anyone as a result of a road traffic collision is always tragic. So far this year 82 people have lost their lives on our roads with 5 fatalaties in Donegal. The need for care when driving is a constant reality and using our roads is probably one of the most dangerous things we do on a daily basis.
A high number of road collisions are a direct result of the behaviour of road users and in many cases that behaviour is affected by the fact that drivers have consumed alcohol.
While the start of summer, good weather and longer clear evenings are very welcome, more sunshine means more social drinking which leads to more people having one too many and getting behind the wheel.
However, it is a matter for individual road users to act responsibly on our roads and to make responsible decisions. Many road users are doing this and the most recent research findings show that the attitude of people towards drink driving has changed.
The main messages for the busy period ahead on our roads are very clear.
Never ever drive after consuming alcohol or drugs or travel in a car driven by someone who has consumed alcohol or drugs
Always obey the speed limits
Reduce speed in inclement weather conditions and allow plenty of time to arrive safely at your destination
Always wear your seatbelt
Never use a mobile phone while driving
Beware of driver fatigue
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