31 May 2017; Here's to hoping that we can finish on 31 May 2017 on a positive note . Even though one fatality is one too many, April and May have been the least fatalities per month in a long time...long may the improvement continue...less devastated and broken hearted Families. Garda Statistics below.
Make Roads Safe;:Pictured with the Presenter following an approx 40 minute Road Safety interview on the Station, whereby I got covering ALL aspects of Road Collisions , causes and possible prevention suggestions.
07 May 2017:...
30 April 2017: We seen the end of April and the Bank Holiday go out with sadly two more tragedies in Co. Donegal, which brings the total of sad tragedies to 4 for Co. Donegal and 54 Nationally. Our deepest sympathies go out to all involved.
| Pedestrians | 12 |
| Drivers | 26 |
| Passengers | 7 |
| Motorcyclists | 4 |
| Pedal Cyclists | 5 |
| Pillion Passengers /Other | |
| Total Year To Date | 54 |
28 April 2017: THE A-CEART WEBSITE IS 7 YEARS OLD TONIGHT:....Many thanks to my Sponsor for the 1st 2 years....MEDIABOX...now The Digital Institute by JSB.
| | |
| Pedestrians | 12 |
| Drivers | 26 |
| Passengers | 5 |
| Motorcyclists | 3 |
| Pedal Cyclists | 4 |
| Pillion Passengers /Other | |
| Total Year To Date | 50 |
2016 - Comparison: 50 (-1)
2017 -April fatalities to date: 3 Things are certainly looking better...April is best month in a very long time...3 Fatalities in 24 days, and The Bank Holiday weekend was included in that. One less than this date last year. Less pain, less sorrow!
19 April 2017 ; <iframe class='nt_media_embed' frameborder='0' height='60' style='width: 100% !important; height: 60px !important;' src='//www.newstalk.com/player/embed.php?mediaType=listenback&id=35415&showID=13240'></iframe>
05 May 2015:
VTS 01 3 https://youtu.be/ckiVvsAjPho via @YouTube
13 April 2017: EASTER WEEKEND:
We would like to appeal to all road users to please exercise "Courtesy, Care & Consideration" over the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend, and take Responsibility for your Attitude & Behavior behind the wheel of a Lethal Weapon, and hopefully Everyone will have a Safe & Happy Weekend ! We are improving...48 killed so far this year, exact same as 2016. In the last 13 days of April, 3 deaths have been recorded. Hopefully Easter will pass with NO additions to these Fatalities.
ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGNER MARY CLINTON (A-Ceart) WELCOMES IRELAND’S NEW LAWS ON ROADSIDE DRUG TESTING CALLING FOR SUFFICIENT TRAFFIC CORP NUMBERS TO ENFORCE THIS NEW STRATEGY TO SAVE LIVES.
A-CEART would like to very much welcome the new road safety law, launched by the Minister in conjunction with the MBRS , the RSA and the Assistant Garda Commissioner ,especially the drugalyzer analysing device to test the saliva of drug drivers.
Hopefully we will get sufficient Traffic Corp Garda to enforce this law strenuously in the interest of saving lives.
Details of the regulations are on the website of the RSA and on A-CEART.COM
...............................................................................................................
Grainne Kenny & Associates
12 April 2017 ; Welcome News indeed by
A-CEART ...Hopefully this will Save many lives on our Irish roads. This is what it's all about in the end...SAVING LIVES, to prevent Pain, Suffering, Devastation and Lifelong Heartache for Families left behind.
A-CEART.COM Mary A-CEART/@NiGiollaBui.
A Donegal Road Safety group has welcomed the…
highlandradio.com
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GARDAÍ CAN NOW TEST MOTORISTS FOR DRUGS AT THE ROADSIDE
The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr Shane Ross has today, Wednesday 12th April, announced the commencement of the drug driving provisions in the Road Traffic Act 2016. One of the key measures in the legislation provides for Preliminary Drug Testing, which will enable Gardaí to test motorists whom they suspect of driving under the influence of drugs at the roadside. The launch of the new measures, in conjunction with An Garda Síochána, the Medical Bureau for Road Safety (MBRS) and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) took place at Store Street Garda Station in Dublin.
The new Garda powers mean Gardaí can now establish roadside checkpoints, Mandatory Intoxicant Checkpoints (MIT), to test drivers for the presence of both alcohol and drugs. The new drug testing devices (Dräger DrugTest 5000) involve testing a sample of a driver’s oral fluid (saliva) for the presence of cannabis, cocaine, opiates (e.g. heroin, morphine) and benzodiazepines (e.g. valium). The new devices will also be available in Garda stations.
The MBRS has found that of the 3,020 specimens of blood and urine that it received in 2016, 24% confirmed positive for drugs other than alcohol. Of these, 91% were specimens from male drivers, most of whom were in the 17-44 year age range. Cannabis was the most prevalent drug detected, followed by benzodiazepines.
Speaking at the launch, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr Shane Ross, said the introduction of Preliminary Drug Testing is an important step in tackling drug driving: “Driving under the influence of drugs has been an offence in Ireland since 1961. The law states that a person must not be impaired (through alcohol, drugs or any combination of both) while driving or in charge of a vehicle. However, driving under the influence of drugs remains a problem in Ireland. It is estimated that drug driving is a factor in approximately one in ten fatal crashes. Drug driving not only puts the driver at risk but also passengers and others who share the road. The introduction of Preliminary Drug Testing now strengthens the ability of the Gardaí to tackle the problem. This is just one step in a multi-faceted approach my Department and I are taking to tackle the recent increase in road fatalities.”
Assistant Commissioner Michael Finn, Roads Policing and Major Event /Emergency Management, stated that: “The new roadside test for drugs will enable An Garda Síochána to tackle the serious issue of drug driving. There will be 86 drug screening devices located in Garda stations nationally and 50 more available for use at the roadside. Over time up to 150 devices will be available for use at the roadside. While the test will take longer to conduct than the roadside test for alcohol, the test is easy to carry out and within minutes will tell if a driver has drugs in their system. This new screening device is an important tool for An Garda Síochána in the identification of drug drivers, ensuring our roads are safer for everyone to use.”
Director of the Medical Bureau for Road Safety, Professor Denis Cusack explained that there is a twin-track approach to tackling drug driving in Ireland: “Firstly, it is against the law to drive under the influence of drugs, including prescribed drugs, where your driving is impaired to such an extent that you don’t have proper control of the vehicle. Secondly, it is against the law to drive under the influence of certain drugs, regardless of driving performance, above specified levels. There are currently three drugs tested for in this category – cannabis, cocaine and heroin. If you are found to have any of these drugs above the specified limits, you can be prosecuted for drug driving even if your driving is not impaired.”
Professor Denis Cusack, was also anxious to allay the fears of anybody taking prescription or over-the-counter medicines: “Drivers with medical conditions should continue to take their prescribed medications in accordance with healthcare advice and medical fitness-to-drive guidelines. If you are taking prescription or over-the-counter medicines under the advice of your doctor or pharmacist, and so long as those medicines don’t impair your driving, you have nothing to be concerned about. If you are in any doubt, speak to your doctor or pharmacist about your concerns.”
Chief Executive of the Road Safety Authority, Moyagh Murdock, said that persons driving under the influence of drugs are a danger to themselves and others: “Our own research shows that many drug drivers incorrectly believe that certain drugs make them better drivers and imagine themselves at low risk of collision. They also tend to overestimate their driving ability and show little understanding of how drugs affect their driving. Many have poor awareness of the impairing effects of drugs and make bad decisions about driving as a result. I have no doubt that the introduction of Preliminary Drug Testing will have a profound and positive impact on road safety as drivers will certainly think twice before driving under the influence of drugs.”
Preliminary Drug Testing will be carried out by An Garda Síochána using the Dräger DrugTest® 5000, an easy to use mobile drug screening system that uses oral fluid to test for some of the most commonly abused drugs.
To support the introduction of Preliminary Drug Testing, the RSA will run a comprehensive online media campaign, targeting the use of illicit drugs in the 18 to 34 year old age bracket, to raise awareness of the new Garda drug-testing powers. This campaign will primarily feature videos which demonstrate how the drug tests will be administered on the road side and the consequences should a driver be detected driving under the influence of drugs. This awareness campaign will run on social media, radio and digital platforms.
The RSA is also running a parallel campaign aimed at allaying the concerns of those taking medicines and driving (over the counter and prescription drugs). Specifically, the RSA is putting information leaflets into pharmacies and doctors’ surgeries nationwide.
For more information on the introduction of Preliminary Drug Testing, see the Frequently Asked Questions document.
Please see here for a list of possible scenarios which can arise during road traffic law enforcement for driving under the influence of drugs.
ENDS
For further information contact:
RSA Communications Office, Ballina: 096 25008
Or
Medical Bureau of Road Safety: 01 7165511 / Email: forensic.medicine@ucd.ie
or
Garda Press Office: 01 666 2071 or email pressoffice@garda.ie
or
Department of Transport Press Office: 01 6041090 or email pressoffice@dttas.ie
Notes to Editors:
Penalties upon conviction for drug driving include;
• a minimum 1-year driving disqualification if you are found to be above the legal threshold for cocaine, cannabis or heroin (since April 2017);
• a minimum of 4 years driving disqualification if you are found to have drugs in your body and are impaired to such an extent that you do not have proper control of a vehicle;
• up to €5,000 fine;
• up to 6 months in prison;
All material relating to the awareness campaign for Preliminary Drug Testing is available on the USB memory stick provided in your media pack.
All videos are also available to view online at http://www.rsa.ie/ or the RSA YouTube page
Please see list of the videos here and links to each one
· Caught and Consequences
· Consequences 1
· Consequences 2
· Consequences 3
· Uvula
· Professor Denis Cusack
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11 April 2017;
Mary Clinton - Thank you for the great safe driving help
Hello Ms. Clinton,
We're a Girl Scout troop from California and we just wanted to reach out and thank you for your wonderful page,
http://www.a-ceart.com/Links since it's been such a major help to us. My Senior Scouts have been working on getting their 'Car Care' badge.
To further express our gratitude, we thought it would be nice send along a helpful resource that we came across. It's
https://www.titlemax.com/essential-guide-to-car-emergency-kits/ and it's a great guide for car emergency kits.
If you decide to add it to your resources, I'd love to show my troopers that their suggestion was up and running to help others. We do our absolute best to follow the Girl Scout slogan of "Do a good turn daily." :)
Please let us know what you think and thank you again!
Best Wishes,
Cindy Powell
######################################
10 April 2017;
Mary Clinton
@NiGiollaBui
Fb: www.facebook.com/NiGiollaBui
Twr: Mary A-CEART@NiGiollaBui
Linkedin
06 April 2017; https://www.oceanfm.ie/2017/04/06/healy-raes-drink-drive-comments-slammed-by-donegal-road-safety-campaigner/
31 Mar 2017 : It doesn't get any better. Were 3 up on this day 2016. 19 lives lost in March worst Month for a while. But were still averaging 15 per month...One life lost every other day. Will everyone Please take care!
| |
| Pedestrians | 12 |
| Drivers | 22 |
| Passengers | 5 |
| Motorcyclists | 2 |
| Pedal Cyclists | 4 |
| Pillion Passengers /Other | |
| Total Year To Date | 45 |
23 Mar 2017:
Size [185 KB] This Lifesaving Opioid Addiction Treatment Is Putting Kids At Risk .
01 Mar 2017: February finished, and between both January and February, we have 26 more Deaths on our roads, two of these being in Co. Donegal. And on the 1st day of March we have two more Fatalities today when a man in his 50's was killed in a 12 vehicle pile-up in Limerick, and a Postman in his 60's killed in Mayo. It's never ending! Condolences to the Families & Friends of both deceased men.
22 Feb 2017: The Carnage continues with No improvement on 2016 so far we are one more....that one happening in Donegal this week.
10 Feb 2017: Six weeks into 2017, and the Carnage continued, of precious lives lost on our roads So far an added 18 lives lost, 3 of these in the 10 days of Feb...which is a slight improvement, as it's usually one every other day in recent years. Something has to change, this cannot continue!
https://www.rebelmouse.com/donegalnews/
Mary Clinton of A-Ceart says she has been told that senior gardai are currently going under training on how to use the testing devices
Interview on Claire Mulcahy Show/Niall Delaney on OCEAN FM Radio Co. SLIGO.
Interview for Highland Radio News..Letterkenny Co. DONEGAL..
A Donegal Road Safety Group says it has been told that roadside testing for drug driving will begin by Easter.
Mary Clinton of A-Ceart says she has been told that senior gardai are currently going under training on how to use the testing devices.
Mary Clinton says this is a positive development……………..
31 Jan 2017: I feel like deleting my statement below typed on 09 Jan 2017...It is now 31 Jan 2017, another month finished, and sad to say, 15 lives lost this month again, 13 since I posted below, 13 more in 21 days...So much for all the campaigns and Media attention...it's having very little impact! Something else will have to be done! We're still loosing a life every other day to Road Tragedies !
27 Jan 2017: A-CEART Received a very encouraging phone call from Professor Denis A. Cusack, UCD, MBRS, in relation to the announcement in the Media earlier on this same morning that the Drugalyzer/Chemical Saliva Swab Drug Testing Device would be available for use by An Garda Siochana by the end of March this year (2017) I welcomed this announcement, long awaited, as we had been campaigning for this Device/apparatus since the foundation of A-CEART...see No 11, of our Aims & Objectives in this website.
We have in the past received both mail and phone call from the said Professor in relation to this Chemical Saliva Swab Testing Device....dates escape me at the moment!
27 Nov 2014: AWARENESS CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED FOR NEW ROADSIDE DRUG IMPAIRMENT TESTING.
A-CEART was present in University College Dublin, (UCD) today to hear the Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, T.D; make this long awaited announcement of New Measures to Test Drivers for Drug Driving in collaboration with the MBRS, the RSA, and the Garda Siochana. The Roadside Impairment Testing (RIT) will provide An Garda Siochana with additional powers to test drivers whom they suspect of driving under the influence of Drugs (DUID). As part of the new test, drivers will be required to undergo five (5) impairment tests; a Pupil Dilation Test, Modifie Romberg Balance Test, Walk and Turn Test, One Leg Stand Test and lastly a Finger to Nose Test. So the message as from today is: "If You Drive On Drugs...Your Out Of Your Mind" !
Also, by the latter part of 2015 a "Roadside Chemical Drug Testing Device will come on stream and the Gardai will then be trained in the use of this device. This is most welcome news to the ears of A-CEART. This has been a constant campaign for A-CEART since it's foundation...See our 12 Aims and Objectives in that Section..this is No 11 on the list finally coming to fruition.
09 Jan 2017: I have always said, one life lost is one too many, but thanks to all the campaigns and publicity and media attention that road safety has received in the past 9 days, there has been two fatalities so far up until today.
Is Naming And Shaming Drunk Drivers Going To Reduce Road
Deaths In Ireland?
05th Jan 2017: Was contacted by two Radio Stations today for interviews on the New Road Traffic Bill 2016. Main issues being discussed were Minister for Transport's proposals to further reduce the Legal Alcohol Limit from 50 mgs to 20 mgs, and also his proposal to Name & Shame offending drivers on a Database. I was interviewed on the above and more as I'm an advocate for Zero tolerance where drink driving is concerned. My interviews were on OCEAN FM, and Classic Hits 4FM.
31 Dec 2016: We finished this year sadly with 187 more lives lost on our 26 Counties of roads, 25 of an increase on 2015.Serious improvement and more drastic measures needed to reverse this upward trend again. We need a ZERO tolerance of all Road Traffic Offences, or we will be looking at even higher figures next year, sad to say!
26 Dec 2016: YTD; 186 people have lost their lives on our Irish roads through ,Preventable, Avoidable & unnecessary Collisions! 12 of these were in Co. Donegal. Five more days left in 2016, lets hope that people will exercise "Courtesy, Care & Consideration" for fellow road users, and that we can end this year with NO MORE lives lost !
29 Dec 2016: Road Traffic Fatalities up to the morning of 29th inst sadly stands at 186 Nationally, and 12 of these were in Co. Donegal.
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross TD today welcomed the passing of the Road Traffic Bill 2016 by the Oireachtas. The Bill contains a series of reforms dealing with drug driving; written off vehicles; mutual recognition of driver disqualifications between Ireland and the UK; uninsured drivers; and a new optional 20km/h speed limit in built-up areas among other measures.
A-CEART welcomes after 12 years of campaigning, and 2 years since attending the Launch the reforms contained in this Road Traffic Bill 2016 in relation to the issue of Drug Driving....a long wait, but better late than never. Also, the new optional 20 km/h speed limit in built-up areas which A-CEART supported, and lobbied for at local level.
19th Dec 2016 : https://plus.google.com/116352978863768585270/posts/iUZMgjUNCd4
19th Dec 2016; https://www.donegalnow.com/news/road-safety-group-a-ceart-issues-christmas-road-safety-appeal/135096
19th Dec 2016: When Will We Ever Learn....Drink Driving Offences Doubled in the first 16 days of December 2016 as compared to the same period in 2015.
182 people that were with their Families last Christmas that sadly will not be having a meal with their Families or friends this year. 182 more Empty Chairs at Christmas Tables, and the Pain & Devastation for those looking at that Empty Chair....10 of those Fatalities were in Co. Donegal. All 10 lives lost totally unnecessary said the Inspector of Traffic in the County on a Radio Interview. Please Desist from the practice of Drinking, taking Drugs and then Driving.
Please do not be the instigation of more Empty Chairs at Tables this Christmas and New Year..and we'll all have a Peaceful and Happy Season of Good Will.
Stop Drinking and Driving, Stop Speeding, Stop the use of Mobile Phones when driving, Stop using Drugs when driving, Exercise more "Courtesy, Care and Consideration" on our roads. Take Responsibility for Your Actions behind the wheel of A Lethal Weapon...2nd only to A Loaded Gun...!!! OBEY THE RULES OF THE ROAD...OBEY THE LAW..IT'S THAT SIMPLE.
01 Dec 2016: No Government support for cycle helmet scheme : The response A-CEART received from the Minister for Transport, Deputy Shane Ross, T.D.
See full letter in the A-CEART Facebook page by The Inish Times. A-CEART | Action Campaign for Education Against Road Tragedies.
11 Nov 2016; http://www.donegaldaily.com/2016/11/11/donegal-road-safety-campaigner-outraged-at-schools-cycle-helmet-loophole/
05 Nov 2016; Another 20 lives have been lost on our Irish roads in the month of October, which brings the total so far this year to 161, that's 30 more lives lost than the same date in 2015. Never ending pain and sorrow for family and friends. For heavens safe please Slow Down and avoid all forms of Distracted driving habits in an effort to save precious lives.
Irish Road Safety Week 03 -09- Oct 2016;
Traffic Fatalities up to 9 am on the 04th Oct 2016: 146
30th Sept 2016:
We welcome the most recent announcement by Transport Minister Deputy Shane Ross, T.D. that the long awaited Legislation is finally coming into force by Christmas/Year end in relation to a Device/Drugalyzer to test drivers at the roadside by the Gardai for Drug Driving. This one has been a long time "On the road" Better Late Than Never! But, If we had this Device available 12 years ago, when A-CEART started campaigning, How Many Lives May Possibly Have Been Saved ? We Shall Never Know!
Stop Drinking and Driving, Stop Speeding, Stop the use of Mobile Phones when driving, Stop using Drugs when driving, Exercise more "Courtesy, Care and Consideration" on our roads. Take Responsibility for Your Actions behind the wheel of A Lethal Weapon...2nd only to A Loaded Gun...!!! OBEY THE RULES OF THE ROAD...OBEY THE LAW..IT'S THAT SIMPLE.
28th July 2016: A Total of Five (5) Lives Lost in Preventable Road Traffic Collisions in My Home County of Donegal in just 20 hours on Wed & Thursday of this week, and Twelve (12) Lives Lost on our Irish Roads since Sunday 24 inst.. Appalling and Horrific loss of young lives...Our Deepest Sympathy & Condolences go out to ALL the Bereaved Families & Friends of the Deceased.....For Everyone's Sake...Please SLOW DOWN, and BEHAVE RESPONSIBLY on our roads.
Traffic Fatalities up to 9 am on the 27th Sept 2016: 138
Good morning,
My name is Ashley and I volunteer at a youth center with a summer health education program for gifted teens where we are leaning about the importance of being a safe driver. Each member of the group was tasked with the responsibility of bringing in a resource article that provides helpful information about the do’s and don’ts of driving. One of the girls, Victoria, found this article http://www.dandalaw.com/resources/avoid-personal-injury-tips-for-safe-driving/ It's about avoiding personal injuries while behind the wheel and relates to following the speed limit and technological distractions. The resource offers tips on defensive driving and having an escape plan in case of a vehicular emergency.
As we were going through our resources, we came across your webpage http://www.a-ceart.com/Links while looking for communities and organizations to provide facts to on speeding, tailgating and texting to their visitors. We want to say thank you! I suggested to the teens that they share this information with you because it is such a great resource for new and experienced drivers of all ages because being safer on the road can save lives. Additionally, I want to impress upon our youth that by reaching out and simply asking others, things can be accomplished that can help others.
If possible, would you be willing to add a link on your webpage to the resource Victoria found about safe driving? She and the rest of the group would be so proud to see that you did, even if it’s only for a little while. We truly believe your visitors will find it useful and hopefully prevent dangerous, life threatening behavior behind the wheel. I also don’t think it hurt that I promised the group a pizza day if you added it. Please let me know either way if you’d be willing to help with this!
Thank you and have a wonderful day,
"A special thanks to Victoria, a teenager from a summer health program
that focuses on the importance of being a safe driver, for providing us
with this resource article on tips for avoiding personal injury from
behind the wheel. Keep up the great work, Victoria!"
"Be attentive. Be alert. Be wise. Be everything you can be.”
Volunteer | School Fundraising Events | Our Youth Are Our Future
01 July 2016:
Drink drivers will need to re-sit their test, and novices could be banned from carrying more than one passenger, in an effort to reduce the death toll on our roads.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) says the Government should introduce tough new restrictions to help combat driver distraction amid growing concern about young drivers' behaviour.
Chief executive Moyagh Murdock revealed the RSA is reviewing the driver theory test to include a targeted focus on alcohol.
A hard-hitting public awareness campaign is also planned, and work is underway to change the law and oblige drink drivers tore-sit the driving test entirely.
Ms Murdock said that "peer pressure" could result in some passengers refusing to buckle up, which could have devastating consequence.
"In the North, they have limited the number of young people in a car and I think that has to be looked at (here)," she said.
"With four or five young people in a car, there's a risk of driver distraction. They may not drink and drive, but they'll sit with their backs up against the windscreen to chat with the ones in the back.
Peer pressure
"Peer pressure for young people may (suggest) it's not cool to be seen with a belt on. You know when you hear a report about (a collision) with three people with minor injuries and one killed, that the one killed was unlikely to be wearing a seat belt."
The Northern Assembly passed legislation in this area earlier this year. Under the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill, drivers under 24 years of age cannot carry more than one young passenger aged 14 to 20 between 11pm and 6am for the first six months after passing their test.
The restriction does not apply to immediate family members, nor to passengers who are 21 years or older, have a full licence for three years, or where the car is being used for 'emergency purposes' such as taking somebody to hospital.
Read more: Revealed:How many people were killed in four years as a result of drink driving
"This initiative is something I believe we could consider to address the worrying number of deaths and serious injuries among young drives as evidenced in our recent pre-crash reports on alcohol and speeding," Ms Murdock said.
She added that additional measures were needed to reduce the carnage on our roads, including an increase in the number of speed cameras and regulations around reconditioned tyres.
Irish Independent
30th June 2016: The Shocking figures behind drink-driving in Ireland: ONE in Four men have admitted drink driving a new Poll has revealed:
Some 15pc of just over 1,000 adults questioned have admitted being over the legal limit but still driving. That figure rises to 24pc among men.
The poll, from Newstalk/RED C and The Pat Kenny Show, reveals that drink-driving remains a live issue, and that the general perception is that it is a rural issue.
Some two-thirds of respondents said they knew someone who had “knowingly” driven a car while over the legal limit in the last five years, with 77pc saying that those in rural areas were more likely to drink and drive.
It also reveals that people are prepared to take a risk and drive having consumed alcohol, despite being aware of the dangers.
The survey shows:
1. One in four admit to having been a passenger in a car driven by a drunk motorist;
2. More than 70pc said they had a difficultly in assessing whether they were over the legal limit the morning after drinking. This rises to 84pc in Connacht/Ulster;
3. One in four believe the drink driving limit is too low;
4. Four out of every ten respondents claim they have gotten into a car with someone over the limit, or have driven while drunk;
5. 15pc said they had driven after consuming alcohol at home, in a restaurant, pub or nightclub in the last five years. One in four farmers admits to doing this, the highest cohort.
6. The most likely group to drink and drive are those aged between 45 and 54.
The figures come despite a sharp increase in the number of people killed on the roads so far this year, up 14 to 84 compared with the same period of 2015.
It also comes after research from the Road Safety Authority shows that alcohol is a factor in almost 40pc of all fatal road collisions.
There were 983 collisions between 2008 and 2012, which resulted in 1,077 people dying.
Of 867 examined, alcohol was a factor in 38pc of fatalities. Drivers, motorcyclists and pedestrians were all found to have been drinking before losing their lives.
Herald
"My whole life was shattered and my heart was broken"
Gillian Tracey's four-year-old son Ciaran was killed in 2014.
A woman whose son was killed when a drunk driver crashed into their car says her life was shattered on that day in 2014
03 May 2016: One year on...Have we SavedkidsLives... @NiGiollaBui 28th Apr 2016;
Donegal Road Safety campaigner, Mary Clinton, says her calls for the introduction of a special safety speed device on all vehicles in Ireland have received a timely boost.
“I was delighted to be able to meet him on Monday and beforehand, I sent him on copies of the letters I have written on this subject to the Government and the Road Safety Authority and the correspondence I have received back over the years,” she said.
“This is something I have been campaigning on for six years now so as you can imagine, I was delighted to learn that Professor Carsten would be addressing the conference in Dublin.”
The ISA system has already been introduced in parts of Europe but according to Ms. Clinton, for it to be brought in to Ireland, a GPS mapping system must already be in place.
“I have been trying since to find out if there is a GPS mapping system in Donegal and if not, if there are plans to bring it in,” she said.
She added that according to Professor Carsten, it cost approximately £6m for a GPS mapping system to cover the whole of Britain. “So when you think that Donegal is the size of Manchester, it shouldn’t cost all that much,” she said.This Media coverage of my meeting with Professor Carsten was exactly 4 years ago this week in Dublin Castle at an RSA conference at which Professor Carsten was presenting on the same subject ...Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA)
Stop Drinking and Driving, Stop Speeding, Stop the use of Mobile Phones when driving, Stop using Drugs when driving, Exercise more "Courtesy, Care and Consideration" on our roads. Take Responsibility for Your Actions behind the wheel of A Lethal Weapon...2nd only to A Loaded Gun...!!! OBEY THE RULES OF THE ROAD...OBEY THE LAW..IT'S THAT SIMPLE.
28th Apr 2016; Excessive Speed a Factor in 322 Road Deaths Between 2008 and 2012
· Report reveals excessive speed a factor in 1 in 3 fatal collisions between 2008 and 2012
· Road safety conference jointly hosted with European Transport Safety Council focused on use of technology to manage speed
: A new report from the Road Safety Authority (RSA), has revealed that between 2008 and 2012, 322 people died in collisions where excessive speed was a contributory factor. The report, the second in a series of landmark reports analysed An Garda Síochána Forensic Collision Investigation reports in order to identify the main contributory factors in collisions on Irish roads. It was launched today at the RSA’s Annual International Road Safety Conference, which was jointly hosted with the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC). The theme of the conference focused on the use of technology to manage speed.
983 fatal collisions occurred on Irish roads between 2008 and 2012, claiming the lives of 1,077 people. The forensic details of 867 fatal collisions were analysed to identify the cause of the collision – of these, excessive speed for the road and conditions was a main contributory factor in 1 in 3 (274), fatal collisions claiming the lives of 322 people. A further 74 people were seriously injured.
The report also revealed that:
· Of the 322 people killed in speed-related collisions, 158 were drivers, 49 were motorcyclists and 100 were passengers
· 109 of the drivers were killed in single vehicle collisions
· Weekends were a high risk period for speed-related collisions
· The counties where speed featured most as a contributory factor in collisions were Donegal (8.4%), Cork (8%), Wexford (8%) Cavan (7%) and Galway (7%)
· 91% of culpable drivers were male
· Over half of the drivers, both male and female, were aged between 16 and 24
· 84% of drivers involved in a single vehicle collision were under 34 years of age
· One third had no record of insurance at the time of the collision
· 29 vehicles ranged from being defective to poor/fair; 11 were dangerously defective
Speaking at the conference today, Liz O’Donnell, RSA Chairperson said: “Previous research based on preliminary Garda crash scene reports estimated that excessive speed was a factor in 15% of fatal collisions. The report published today, using data from An Garda Síochána Forensic Investigation Files, shows that excessive speed plays a more significant role in collisions on our roads, accounting for 1 in 3 fatal collisions analysed between 2008 and 2012. The faster you drive, the more likely you are to kill or seriously injure yourself or someone else if you are involved in a collision. Slow down – drive at a speed that is appropriate to the conditions and your experience, and remember a speed limit is not a target.”
According to the ETSC, 500 people are killed on EU roads every week; speed is the primary factor in 1 in 3 fatal collisions. Today’s conference, which was held as part of the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) iSAFER campaign, looked at the use of Intelligent Speed Assistance (ISA) as a measure to reduce speed on our roads. ISA uses a speed sign-recognition video camera and/or GPS-linked speed limit data to advise drivers of the current speed limit; the most advanced systems can automatically limit the speed of the vehicle as needed (though the driver is still able to override the system).
Speaking at the conference today, Professor Oliver Carsten, Institute for Transport Studies, University of Leeds provided an insight into the effectiveness of ISA in reducing deaths and serious injuries, calling it ‘the most powerful road safety intervention currently available’.
“ISA has the potential to reduce collisions by 30% and reduce deaths by 20%. In a number of trials, ISA had a significant impact on driver speed choice, acceptance and intention to speed. Analysis shows that the stronger the form of ISA, the greater the impact it has on crash risk and crash severity, helping to reduce not only the number of collisions on our roads as a result of excessive speed, but also the severity,” said Professor Carsten.
In a study conducted by SARTRE in 2012, 78% of road-users and 64% of drivers supported in-vehicle speed limiters. In addition to the impact to road safety, it also reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to 8%. The RSA has joined the ETSC in calling for the EU to require car manufacturers to fit ISA in all new cars. The European Commission is expected to set out a revised set of safety standards for new vehicles this year as part of its revision of the 2009 General Safety Regulation. A 2015 study for the Commission by TRL gave ISA a ‘green light’ signifying that the technology was already available and effective, with a high benefit-cost ratio.
Commenting on ISA technology Ms. Moyagh Murdock, CEO, RSA said, “A key priority of the Government Road Safety Strategy is to look at new and emerging road safety technologies and to assess how they could be implemented in Ireland. We would urge the EU to make ISA technology a standard safety feature in new vehicles. In a recent review by commissioned by the EU it found that ISA was the number one technology advancement that would be the most cost effective and most beneficial for road safety.”
Among the other speakers at today’s conference, which was chaired by Conor Faughnan, Director of Consumer Affairs at AA Ireland, was Mr Niall Carty, Head of Road Safety Advocacy at the International Automobile Federation (FIA) who provided an insight into how ISA is being used in world motorsport, including Formula 1.
Ahead of the May Bank Holiday weekend, the RSA and An Garda Síochána are appealing to road-users to slow down and not take any chances on the roads.
Chief Superintendent Aidan Reid, An Garda Síochána said, “Excessive or inappropriate speed is the biggest killer on our roads. If you are driving too fast, your ability to react properly or safely to hazards is severely compromised. And if you are involved in a collision, the outcome could be tragic. There were 40,787 speeding detections in the first three months of this year. Speeding is not only illegal, it is dangerous and selfish. So please, think about the consequences of speeding the next time you get behind the wheel and reduce your speed accordingly.”
The RSA and Applegreen have teamed up to provide free cups of coffee to drivers in an effort to combat driver fatigue. Between on Friday 29 and Monday 2 May, drivers can get a free cup of coffee at any Applegreen service station around the country by mentioning ‘RSA’ or the ‘Driver Reviver’ campaign to the till operator.
For further information:
RSA Press Office: 096 25008
Brian Farrell, RSA Communications Manager: 096 25008
Garda Press Office Tel: 01 6662071
DEFECTIVE TYRES A FACTOR IN 71 ROAD DEATHS BETWEEN 2008 AND 2012
RSA, Minister Donohoe and An Garda Síochána launch major tyre safety awareness campaign
§ Landmark report reveals that vehicle factors contributed to 1 in 8 fatal collisions analysed between 2008 and 2012
§ 111 people lost their lives and 30 were seriously injured in collisions where vehicle defects were a contributory factor
§ Brakes also a factor, contributing to 18 deaths and 6 serious injuries
4 April 2016: A new report from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has revealed that vehicle factors played a role in 1 in 8 (101) fatal collisions in the period 2008 to 2012. Defective tyres were the most significant factor, representing almost two thirds (64.1% or 66) of all vehicle factors identified. This was revealed at the launch of a landmark new report ‘Pre-Crash Report on Vehicle Factors in Fatal Collisions’1, the first of its kind in Ireland, which analysed An Garda Síochána Forensic Collision Investigation reports in order to identify the main contributory factors in collisions on Irish roads. The report was launched today (Monday) by the RSA, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD and An Garda Síochána.
983 fatal collisions occurred on Irish roads between 2008 and 2012, claiming the lives of 1,077 people. The forensic details of 867 fatal collisions were analysed to identify the cause of the collision – of these, 858 involved a motorised vehicle. Vehicle factors, such as defective tyres, brakes, steering or suspension, were found to have contributed to 101 of these fatal collisions, in combination with behavioural factors such as speeding, alcohol or drug use.
Defective tyres were the most significant factor, representing almost two thirds (64.1% or 66) of all vehicle factors identified as contributory to the collision. The report also found that defective brakes were also a contributory factor in road collisions between 2008 and 2012, contributing to 18 deaths and 6 serious injuries in collisions where a vehicle had defective brakes.
The main findings of the report are:
§ Of 858 fatal collisions in Ireland between 2008 and 2012, motorised vehicle factors contributed to 101 collisions (12%)
§ Vehicle factors were a contributory factor in 12% of all collisions. Of these tyres were the main contributory factor accounting for 8%.
§ Of collisions where vehicle factors were noted the condition of tyres accounted for almost two thirds (64.1% or 66) of collisions
§ Defective tyres were more prevalent in single vehicle crashes (74.1%) when compared to multiple vehicle crashes (57.6%)
§ 111 people lost their lives and 30 were seriously injured in collisions where vehicle defects were a contributory factor.
§ 71 people were killed and 19 were seriously injured in a collision where a vehicle had defective tyres as a contributory factor.
§ 18 people were killed and 6 were seriously injured in a collision where a vehicle had defective brakes
§ 17-24 year old drivers accounted for almost half (47%) of fatal collisions involving defective, worn, over or underinflated tyres
§ The highest proportion of drivers with defective tyres were in Donegal (18.2%), followed by Cork, Kerry and Wexford (9.1% each)
§ Losing control on a bend on a regional road and on a road surface that was dry at the time were typical scenarios noted in the investigation reports.
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, said: “This report highlights just how important it is that every aspect of a vehicle, whether a car, truck, van or motorcycle, is in proper, roadworthy condition. None of us can predict what will happen when we use the roads – we may encounter other drivers behaving poorly, or weather conditions could be particularly bad. But we can take personal responsibility for ensuring our vehicle is properly maintained so that we can rely on our tyres responding to the conditions as they should or our brakes working when they need to. To highlight how critical this is to our safety on the roads, work is currently on-going to bring the offence of defective and non-roadworthy tyres within the penalty point system. So I would urge people to take preventative measures by checking their vehicles regularly and ensure they are roadworthy.”
The report also found that over half (51.5%) of the tyres on the 66 vehicles with defective tyres were excessively or dangerously worn and 10.6% were underinflated, some dangerously low. 6% were a combination of excessively worn, underinflated, the wrong size or fitted in the wrong direction.
The RSA and An Garda Síochána are advising road-users to get their tyres checked regularly at Irish Tyre Industry Association (ITIA) and SIMI-registered garages and give themselves the peace of mind that their tyres are roadworthy.
Ms. Moyagh Murdock, Chief Executive of the Road Safety Authority said: “This report shows that tyres are the parts of your car that are most likely to put you at risk of a fatal collision if they’re not roadworthy.”
She added, “Don’t assume you can tell if there’s a problem just by looking at them – you can’t. I would strongly recommend that you check your tyres at least once a month. The easiest way to do this is to call into your local garage and get your tyres checked by an expert. Most will probably do this free of charge. When purchasing tyres, invest in tyres that will last and I would urge people not to purchase used tyres, you just can’t be sure of their history and will cost you more in the long run.”
Chief Superintendent Aidan Reid, An Garda Síochána said, “Tyres are the only part of your vehicle that keep you in contact with the road so it is critical that they are in roadworthy condition at all times. Your safety, along with the safety of your passengers and other road users, could depend directly on the condition of your vehicle’s tyres. If your tyres are worn, under or over-inflated, the wrong size, or damaged in any way, they won’t respond properly in an emergency, or poor weather conditions. Our advice to road-users is to get your tyres checked regularly and ensure they are properly maintained or they could fail you when you need them most.”
A recent survey of driver behaviour conducted by Behaviour & Attitudes 2 for the RSA found that over half (53%) of drivers surveyed had experienced problems with their tyres in the past five years. Even more worryingly, one third of drivers had experienced such problems while driving. This was more pronounced among those who drive on major roads, drive for work or are aged 34 or younger. This is despite 82% of drivers stating that they know how to check the air pressure in their tyres and 73% stating they know how to check the tread depth.
Concluding Ms Murdock said “Every driver has a personal responsibility to ensure that the vehicle they are driving is in a roadworthy condition. This means conducting regular walk around checks on the vehicle before a journey to spot obvious issues like broken lights, worn tyres and worn windscreen wipers. It also means ensuring your vehicle is serviced regularly by a qualified mechanic, this should be at least twice a year, with one a general health check and one a more detailed check.”
To highlight the dangers of driving with defective tyres, the RSA has launched a powerful new TV, radio, cinema and online advertising campaign entitled ‘Grip’. The purpose of the ad is to make people aware that tyres are the one point of contact their car has with the road. The TV ad shows a man losing his grip with everyone close to him, in a frame that spins, as tyres do – or as a car that has been flipped in a crash does. It shows just what the man has lost, providing a stark reminder that we all need to check our tyres to make sure we don’t lose grip with everything that matters to us.
The advertising campaign will commence today, Monday 4 April, with one of the first TV broadcasts during EastEnders at20:11 on RTE 1.
The advert can be viewed on the RSA YouTube page here
To date this year, 43 people have been killed on Irish roads. This is an increase of 5 road deaths on the same period last year.
1 Pre-Crash Report on Vehicle Factors in Fatal Collisions, 2008-2012
2 Behaviour and Attitudes Survey, conducted in November 2015, on a sample of 1073
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
RSA Communications Office: 096 25008
Or
Brian Farrell, RSA Communications Manager: 086 388 1009
Or
Garda Press Office: 01 666 20 30
Notes to Editors:
Table 1: Vehicle Factors as a Contributory Factor all Motorised Vehicle Collisions
| N | % |
| Tyres | 66 | 7.7 |
| Brakes | 14 | 1.6 |
| Steering | 3 | 0.3 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0.3 |
| Stolen/U.T. Vehicle | 1 | 0.1 |
| Windows - Vision Obscured | 1 | 0.1 |
| Other | 13 | 1.5 |
| None | 757 | 88.2 |
| Total | 858 | 100.0 |
The RSA has the following dos and don’ts for motorists:
Choose the right tyres
Choose tyres that are right for the vehicle and the type of driving you do. Talk to a tyre specialist to get advice on the tyres you need. Most tyre manufacturers recommend placing the tyres with the best grip at the rear of the vehicle. Fitting tyres with less grip at the rear of your vehicle can cause over-steer and loss of control. Correctly balanced wheels will ensure smooth and vibration-free drive which will also extend your car’s suspension and steering components.
Check the tyre depth
Make sure the tyre has plenty of thread and is above the legal limit of 1.6mm, check around the whole circumference of the tyre. The tyre is the only part of the vehicle that is in contact with the road. The more thread you have, the greater grip the vehicle has on the road and the safer you’ll be. All tyres have tread-depth indicators set into them that are at a depth of 1.6mm. Use this block to see if the tyre has worn to the same level or lower. It is easy to check your tyre depth. The RSA has a handy pop up gauge that can assist you or call into a local garage and get help. Remember to check the depth in different locations on the tyre.
Keep your tyre at the correct tyre pressure
Tyres naturally lose air pressure over time so it’s worth checking your tyres every month. Having the correct tyre pressure helps improve safety, car handling and fuel consumption. You can find your correct tyre pressure on the inside of the fuel door or in the vehicle’s handbook. Don’t forget about the spare wheel or space saver – make sure they are inflated to the correct pressure too.
Use Space-savers tyres only in an emergency
Keep space saver tyres inflated to the pressure indicated on the wheel label and only use over short distances to get your car to a tyre repair centre. Don’t drive more than 80km/hr and be prepared for the car handling to be different when one is fitted on your vehicle.
Replacing tyres
If your tyre has come into contact with a solid object, such as pothole and/or you have noticed uneven wear on your tyre, please go to a tyre specialist to have it examined. Your wheel and axles need to be fully aligned to ensure safe driving and that the car is handling correctly. You may need to replace the tyre. When deciding what new tyre to purchase, please don’t make that decision purely on budget and make sure safety is paramount to your decision making. Car manufacturers recommend that replacement tyres be the same type as those originally fitted to maintain all-round driving performance. Part worn tyres have been previously used and you do not know the road history which that tyre has travelled. Please consider carefully whether you are getting real value for money. In some cases, you would have to buy three sets of part worn tyres in order to get the same life as a new set of tyres.
For information on tyre safety, download ‘Your Guide to Tyre Safety’ from the RSA website
Communications Department| Road Safety Authority | Moy Valley Business Park, Primrose Hill, Dublin Road, Ballina, Co. Mayo | Dir 096 25008 | www.rsa.ie
07 Apr 2016: Seven years today since Garda Robbie Mc Callion lost his fight for life after being seriously injured in Letterkenny in the line of duty...NEVER FORGOTTEN!
01 Apr 2016; I'm a voluntary road safety campaigner for 12 years past and I've launched my website on 27th April 2010 to let people know what I've been campaigning about and for, for the past years.....since i wrote my first letters to The NSC and Government Minister's in 2004. which will mark 12 years in May 2016. The year my darling Uncle was killed by an Intoxicated & Speeding Driver was 1972. In that year 640 people lost their precious lives on our roads (26 counties) Thanks to the hard and dedicated work of many citizens those "Highest Ever Recorded" figured have been massively reduced to 166 last year 2015, but sadly that is still 166 TOO MANY !!! And, for the first quarter of this year, disappointingly figures have started to rise again, up 4 on this date in 2015. ..Now stands at 42. Lets hope things improve as the year goes on. Irresponsible road behaviour has to be stamped out by the Gardai. www.a-ceart.com twitter.com/NiGiollaBui
26 Jan 2016:
A-CEART welcomes this latest additional allocation of money for Roads and Bridges, especially so the 20 million euro for Co. Donegal. Long overdue! A-CEART.COM Twitter.com/NiGiollaBui
11 Jan 2016: A-CEART wishes to extend our most Sincere Sympathy & Condolences to the Parents, Siblings, Fiancee and all Friends of the late Declan Holian, Co. Donegal who lost his life this a.m in a Tragic Collision of two trucks near Castleblaney, Co. Monaghan. The very same Sympathy & Condolences is extended to the Family & Friends of the other deceased man in the other vehicle. God Love & Help all concerned.
01 Jan 2016: Delighted to see the very significant decline...but ONE fatality is still ONE too many...Sincere sympathy to the Families of the 165 who lost their lives in 2015 and every Bereaved Family every year prior to this. Lets hope that 2016 will see even fewer Fatalities on our roads. A-CEART.COM . 29 DEC 2015 : I'm absolutely brokenhearted and speechless : Since last posting on 21st Dec, Eleven (11) more people have lost their lives in the ROI in just 8 days over the Christmas period up till today! Not much of a Happy Christmas for all those bereaved families & friends. Also 2 or 3 lost their lives in the North of Ireland. (will correct later) Deepest Sympathy & Condolences to all the bereaved families on their loss.
21 Dec 2015: This looks like being the year with the least collisions & Fatalities for some time. That is no consolation to those who have been bereaved this year or any other, but at least 36 Less people have been killed on our roads in 2015 than in 2014, and there has been 28 less collisions. That has to be good news! Lets hope we can get through this Holiday Period without any more Fatalities or injuries. Still 153 people have lost their lives so far this year to date and there has been 147 collisions. Cork and Mayo are the worst Counties for Fatalities, both at 13 each, with Donegal at 11, and Galway at 10. Lets hope things improve.
01 Dec 2015: Even though it is certainly not any consolation to all those who have been bereaved this year and who will has an empty chair at their Christmas Table....There is Good News in that Road Deaths are down considerably this year as compared to last year 2014.
So far this year, 2015, 145 people have lost the lives to Road Collisions...that's 31 LESS than the same date in 2014 at 176. This time in 2014, we were 6 Fatalities more than in 2013...So things are well improved this year...Thanks to all the hard work of Everyone Campaigning to improve Road Safety. (03 Dec) Sadly we have One Fatality in December already...Deepest Sympathy to this Member of the Garda Siochana's Family, Friends & Garda Colleagues. So sad, especially at this time of year!
16 Nov 2015: A-CEART attended the IRVA World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victim's in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath today, click on Contacts Top Right and click on the Blue Facebook Logo to see a short video of the IRVA Remembrance Pics of 128 Victims faces of Irish Road Carnage. The Club That NO-ONE wants to Belong to!
01 Nov 2015: For just the second time this year a months Fatalities on our roads are on single figures, with October ending with 9, the only other single figure month being April with 8 people loosing their lives, bringing the YTD to 130...26 less than same date in 2014. Great to see a reduction in those loosing their lives. Could 2015 be the least Fatalities ever recorded on our Irish Roads...hopefully this will be so !!!
01 Oct 2015: Up to 3 oclock today....Globally, 932, 820 people have lost their lives so far this year to Road Traffic Collisions!!!.
01 Oct 2015: And so the Road Fatalities continue with 3 more Drivers killed since I last posted. Drivers 54; Passengers 20; Pedestrians 22; Motorcyclists 18; and Pedal Cyclists 6..Total 120 YTD. The only good news is, that is 19 less lives lost on our Irish roads than same date 2014.
22 Sept 2015 : Road Fatalities Continue to Rise!
22 Sept 2015: See "The Portuguese Drug Fallacy Report" ...Ist Download in Red at bottom of this page.
16 Sept 2015: See my Downloads in the News and Events section for a letter received from Minister of State, Joe Mc Hugh, T.D. following my Presentation to the Minister on the issue of the probability of the Decriminalization of Drugs in our Country.
15 Sept 2015 : See "SAM...Smart Approaches to Marijuana"...In my Downloads " " " " " " " " " " "
Stop Drinking and Driving, Stop Speeding, Stop the use of Mobile Phones when driving, Stop using Drugs when driving, Exercise more "Courtesy, Care and Consideration" on our roads. Take Responsibility for Your Actions behind the wheel of A Lethal Weapon...2nd only to A Loaded Gun...!!! OBEY THE RULES OF THE ROAD...OBEY THE LAW..IT'S THAT SIMPLE
01 Sept 2015: Thankfully we have gotten through the past week without any Fatalities, and even though the National Slowdown 24 hours Detection Rates were very low, and two of the worst offenders were clocked in Donegal, maybe the operation did have some effect after all. The National YTD Fatalities still stands at 106, that's 23 fewer than 2014.
24 Aug 2015: Sadly one more Fatality in Co. Donegal last night ...two in 22 hours...that's Seven in Donegal so far this year, one more than this date last year (6)..... Nationally 106, 21 less than this date in 2014 an improvement, ......but....when will this constant pain & sorrow ever end??? Three children have been killed on our Irish roads to date... See RSA.ie for full report on this.
23 Aug 2015: SIX people dead from Road Traffic Collisions on the Island of Ireland today....Three in the South and Three in the North....One of them in Inishowen, Donegal yet again...when will this Preventable carnage ever end? Deepest sympathy and condolences to all their families and friends. These tragedies brings to 106 people who have lost their lives in the South so far this year.
11 Aug 2015 : So far this year 98 people have lost their lives on our roads....A-CEART's message to Students Celebrating their Leaving Cert tonight....Please don't do anything that would cause YOU to be the next Fatality...If your Driving...Please DON'T take Alcohol or Drugs and Drive at the Speed that's suitable for Road & Weather conditions and suited to your own driving experience...At all times, Exercise "Courtesy, Care & Consideration" for other road users and everyone will get home safe !
31 July 2015 : Six more precious lives gone since my last posting bringing the total to 92 for 7 months of 2015. 20 of these lives were wiped out in July. When will it ever end ?
22 July 2015: Lives lost on our roads so far this year is 86. Fifteen (15) more precious lives taken since i last posted 3 weeks ago...we aren't improving much, are we? I know we have improved in having 18 less lives lost compared to this date in 2014, but that is NO consolation to the bereaved families left behind. This loss of lives must change now!
Stop Drinking and Driving, Stop Speeding, Stop the use of Mobile Phones when driving, Stop using Drugs when driving, Exercise more "Courtesy, Care and Consideration" on our roads. Take Responsibility for Your Actions behind the wheel of A Lethal Weapon...2nd only to A Loaded Gun...!!! OBEY THE RULES OF THE ROAD...OBEY THE LAW..IT'S THAT SIMPLE!!!
To find all our Uploads and Downloads from other Campaigners and Press Releases etc, From News/ News and Events here...Scroll way down to The Tweet Logo and The Road Peace Dove and Global Road Deaths Statistics Counter Clock (Which Sadly Changes Every Second) you'l find All our Downloads are right below these!
01 July 2015: Figures show 71 people lost their lives on our Irish Roads so far this year..24 less than the same date last year, 2014. 53 of these deaths were Males and 18 were Females. 12 Fatalities for the month of June, exact same as for May. Please lets have an big improvement for the next 6 months of the year!
15 June 2015 : Sixty Nine (69) lives lost on our Irish Roads so far this year....Even though that is NO consolation to those who have lost their loved one, it is a good improvement on both last year 2014, at 84, and an even better improvement on 2013 at 87 on this same Date. It is Not good however that we have had 10 Fatalities so far for June...9 of these since my last posting on the 3rd June. We must Not become complacent...these figures have got to be reduced, preferably to NIL.
03 June 2015: Sixty(60) lives lost on our Irish Roads so far this year..16 less than 2014...good improvement, but no reason to become complacent. One life lost is ONE too many.
03 june 2015: www.rte.ie/.../705623-spraoi-mharcaiocht-i-ngort-an-choirce-fiosruchan-gardai-ar-bu...
01 May 2015 : A-CEART , In Co-Operation with School Teachers, Pupils, Students & Parents, staged a very successful event to mark and support the #SaveKidsLives World Health Organisation Initiative/United Nations 3rd UN Global Road Safety Week 04th - 10th May 2015. Also invited and present to share and make their contribution to this project were all the other stakeholders in road safety in Co. Donegal and the RSA. Approx 150 Kids from Local schools took part and handed over hundreds of signed petitions to our Government Legislators and decision makers to urge them to do much more to #SaveKidsLives.
25 Apr 2015 : Plans well underway and coming together nicely for A-CEARTS's project playing our part in the WHO & UN Global Campaign to #SaveKidsLives. 50 people have lost their lives on our Irish Roads so far this year...7 less than this date last year...some in this number were children... a slight improvement, but NO consolation to the Families & Friends of those who have gone...One life lost is One too many. Please take MORE CARE everyone.
25th Mar 2015 : A-CEART has embarked on a New Project in collaboration with an Initiative of the World Health Organisation to #SaveKidsLives
The WHO is hoping to collect 100,000 Signatures worldwide both on and off line to present to the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon during their 3rd UN Road Safety Week from 4th to 10th May.
A-CEART has signed to declaration to be part of this initiative for the DECADE OF ACTION FOR ROAD SAFETY 2011 - 2020.
Anyone schools or Organisation who would wish to play their part in the collection of 100,000 signatures to be passed on to Government decision makers, please make contact via the A-CEART Facebook page A-CEART | Action Campaign for Education Against Road Tragedies or by the Mob No on this website. More updates later.
10 Apr 2015 :
I phoned and spoke with the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr. Christy Burke yesterday evening in relation to the article in the Irish Independent on 08/04/2015 (page 2+3) in which we were both quoted in interviews in relation to the very sad and tragic collision in the Phoenix Park on Monday which caused the death of 23 months old little toddler Venessa Siatka. After I informed Mayor Burke that I was supporting his call for Safety Pedestrian Crossings in the Park, I added that I was also calling for the 50 kmh speed limit to be reduced to 30 kmh. The Mayor informed me that he would be meeting the Minister for Transport on the issue in a few days time, so I requested that he add my proposal to the meeting. Mayor Burke is quoted as saying that he would also be raising the traffic accident as part of his business during the Council meeting next Monday. www.a-ceart.com twitter & Linkedin
10 APR 2015 : So far this year 44 lives have been lost on our Irish roads, even though that is 8 less than this same date in 2014, it's 44 lives too many. Deepest Sympathy & Condolences to ALL who have lost their lives to RTC's.
02 Apr 2015 :
A-CEART attended this RSA International Conference in Dublin Castle last Thursday, where the entire conference was on this subject of Children and Road Safety. Startling statistics and so very Sad as most, if not all of these collisions leading to the death of a child are Preventable and Avoidable and should NOT happen.! That's why A-CEART has committed to joining all other Road Safety Campaigners in the WHO initiative to#SaveKidsLives who will present 100,000 signatures to the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon on their UN Road Safety Week from 4th - 10th May. Anyone interested in contributing to this Global Initiative can sign up for it, either on or off- line at www.SaveKidsLives2015.org...www.a-ceart.com twitter & linkedin...see RSA.ie
07 Apr 2015 : Six years today since Garda Robbie McCallion lost his fight for life as a result of being seriously injured in the line of Duty in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. Still as fresh in my memory as 07/04/2009.
Still missed Robbie, and You Shall "Never Be Forgotten"!!! This Website was dedicated to your memory in April 2010, because your words of encouragement kept me going when I felt like giving up on campaigning.
Sleep well Robbie.
05 Apr 2015 : A-CEART offers our Deepest and Most Sincere Sympathy to the Family and Friends of Kieran Doherty, Admiran, Stranorlar, who tragically lost his life in a Road Traffic Collision in the early hours of this Easter Sunday morning. God Comfort & Console the Family in their sad loss.
01 Apr 2015 : A-CEART are delighted to hear the good news that Minister for Justice today , Francis Fitzgerald and the Garda Commissioner, Noirin O'Sullivan have announces the Recruitment & Training of 250 more Gardai today at the Conference of the AGSI. Welcome News indeed.
30 Mar 2015 : A-CEART is so glad to learn that the crash that occurred on 28 inst in Co Donegal involving a Bus load of children from Carricfergus Rugby Club in Northern Ireland escaped the Traumatic incident with No Fatalities and No serious injuries. We wish the injured Coach a complete and speedy recovery, and the children a complete recovery from their trauma.
24 Mar 2015 : A-CEART has embarked on a New Project in collaboration with an Initiative of the World Health Organisation to #SaveKidsLives
The WHO is hoping to collect 100,000 Signatures worldwide both on and off line to present to the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon during their 3rd UN Road Safety Week from 4th to 10th May.
A-CEART has signed to declaration to be part of this initiative for the DECADE OF ACTION FOR ROAD SAFETY 2011 - 2020.
Anyone schools or Organisation who would wish to play their part in the collection of 100,000 signatures to be passed on to Government decision makers, please make contact via the A-CEART Facebook page A-CEART | Action Campaign for Education Against Road Tragedies or by the Mob No on this website. More updates later.
22 Feb 2015: ...BEREAVEMENT NOTIFICATION: Due to a Family Bereavement, this Site will Not be undated for a while due to the Sad Passing of my Beloved Father. A-CEART.
22 Feb 2015: A-CEART extends our deepest and most sincere Sympathy to the Parents, Family & School Friends & Teachers on the very Sad & Tragic death of Georgie Doherty, Clar, Redcastle, Inishowen, Co. Donegal.
10 Feb 2015: So far this year there has been 5 less Fatalities on our roads as compared to this same date in 2014, and 7 less collisions, but sadly still 16 people have lost their precious lives to road carnage.
10 Feb 2015: The RSA are in Co. Donegal all this week with the "CHECK IT FITS" Road Safety Education Van & Staff offering a FREE Service to Parents & all those in charge of Driving Children as little passengers using Car Seats and Booster Seats to show how to Fit them properly. They were in Kelly's Centra today, and they were extremely busy. They will be in Buncrana, Ballybofey and Donegal Town, 11th, 12th and 13th in that order.
04 Feb 2015: We welcomed a return phone call from Professor Denise A. Cusack, Director of Forensic Medicine, MBRS, University College Dublin, allaying our fears (totally taken out of context) from a News Report recently, that the Chemical Saliva Device to test for Drugged Driving, Launched in UCD on 27th Nov 2014, by the Minister for Transport, Tourism &Sport, Paschal Donohoe, T.D., in conjunction with the Professor and the Garda Commissioner, Ms. Noirin O'Sullivan, and proposed to be implemented by the end of 2015, is still on track as planned even though there is a cost factor. It has been announced that this device may be 125 times more costly than the Breathalyzer Equipment used to test for Alcohol. The MBRS has ordered 500,000 of these Devices already, and following all the Legal procedures and Garda training as to their usage, they should be operational by the year end. Great news indeed for A-CEART who has been campaigning for the introduction of this or a similar Device since 2004.
03 Feb 2015: We welcome the Additional Allocation of 17.6 million to be spent on Regional & Local Roads, together with the 18.6 million allocated in Dec 2014 from the NRA to be spent on National & Primary Roads for the improvement and maintenance works to be carried out on many of Co. Donegal's Roads this year. Much needed indeed.
03 Feb 2015: Some Good News for a change....Of course Not for the Families of the 13 people who have lost their lives on our roads in the month of January...but, Good News in the fact that there has been 4 less people killed than for the same period in 2014. That has lifted by heart, that at least there is an improvement. Passengers seem to be the most vulnerable road users for the month of January with 6 having lost their lives! 4 Drivers; 2 pedestrians; and 1 Pedal cyclist bring the number of deaths to 13.
01 Jan 2015: Our First Fatality of the New Year occurred in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, when a 33 yr old mother of 3 children was knocked down as a pedestrian and fatally injured. Deepest & Most Sincere Sympathy & Condolences to her Family & Friends.
01 Jan 2015: RSA End of Year Report:
ROAD DEATHS RISE FOR SECOND CONSECUTIVE YEAR
Driver deaths decline but 2014 sees 24% rise in vulnerable road user deaths
A Provisional Review of Road Crashes for 2014, published by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) today Wednesday 31st December, indicates that for the second consecutive year, deaths resulting from road traffic collisions have increased. A total of 196* people have lost their lives in 2014, compared to 190 in 2013, a 3% rise.
However, it represents a 21% increase when compared to the 162 road deaths that occurred in 2012, the safest year on Irish roads.
Ms. Liz O’Donnell, Chairperson, RSA,said, “196 precious lives ended on our roads in 2014. That’s 6 more than last year. These people are gone forever. For their loved ones they are not consigned to year end statistics.”
RSA full end of year report on my Facebook page..
22nd Dec 2014: More & More precious lives lost on our roads.
Sadly to say, as of yesterday we have exceeded the number of Fatalities that was for the full year last year 2013. The total amount of lives lost in 2013 was 190. Before midnight last night 21/12/14 the fatalities were 192.
When will this needless loss of life on our roads ever end ??? 192 more empty chairs at Christmas Tables this year...so very sad & heartbreaking!
27th Nov 2014:
A-CEART attended the RSA/GARDA Christmas & New Year AWARENESS CAMPAIGN LAUNCH FOR NEW ROADSIDE DRUG IMPAIRMENT TESTING in UCD today. A-CEART very much welcomed this new provision in the the Road Traffic Legislation, giving the Garda Siochana additional powers to test drivers whom the suspect of driving under the influence of drugs. Roadside Testing for Drug Driving has been part of the A-CEART Lobbying Campaign since 2006 in an effort to Save Lives on our roads. Full details of the New Measures & Guidelines will be Downloaded soon.
Speaking at the Launch, Professor Denis Cusack, Director of the Medical Bureau for Road Safety, said"A Report on Roadside Drug Testing" published by the Medical Bureau of Road Safety (MBRS) in 2012 identified a two- step process to tackle drug driving in Ireland. The first is the introduction of Roadside Impairment Testing (RIT) commencing today (27/11/14), which I very much welcome, to be followed late next year by the anticipated introduction of Roadside Chemical Testing, modelled on the successful mandatory alcohol screening.
16 Nov 2014:
A-CEART Received Major Award
A-CEART was presented with a "Global Light of Hope Award by IRVA's Ambassador & Chairperson, Ms Dona Price of Irish Road Victims Association, at the World Day of Remembrance Ceremony in Bloomfield House Hotel, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath on 16 Nov 2014 for Community Road Safety Education. A-CEART's Founder & Chairperson was Honoured, yet Humbled to receive this very prestigious award in memory of lost loved ones which were named at the acceptance speech.
13 Nov 2014:
A-CEART was invited for a meeting at the Office of the Minister for Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Joe Mc Hugh, to discuss A-CEART's Road Safety Campaign, and all aspects of Road Safety, but in particular A-CEART's Lobbying issues over the past 10 years, for example, A Device to Test for Drug Driving, and An Apparatus/Device to Curb Speed, called an ISA, Intelligent Speed Adaptation. A-CEART has been Lobbying Government and the RSA and the MBRS for these Devices since it's Foundation.
07 Nov 2014: A-CEART received a response letter today from the Minister for Justice & Equality, Frances Fitzgerald, T.D. in relation to many issues raised in a letter to the Minister in July 2014. We were very heartened by the affirmations contained in her letter. Full details later. Copy of the letter is in Downloads further down this page.
06 Nov 2014: Apologies for the long delay in updates...I have been indisposed! So sad to say since my last update on Fatalities exactly one month ago, 16 more precious lives have been lost on our roads and four of these were in my own County of Donegal. That brings to 162 Fatalities so far this year... 3 worse than the same date in 2013. Also up until 17th October, there has been 65 Fatalities in the other 6 Counties of Northern Ireland. When will this pain & sorrow ever end???
05 Nov 2014: A-CEART delivered by Invitation a Road Safety Presentation Information Stall to the Womens "Health & Happiness" Evening, Organised by the North Donegal Community Network (NDCN) DLDC, in the Ballymore Community Hall, Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal. A very relaxing social & networking evening with entertainment was had by all in a totally packed Hall.
https://twitter.com/alosmithy/status/519092438460547072
27 Oct 2011: www.dundalkdemocrat.ie/news/monaghan-news/47829/Disgusted-by-sentence-.html
06 Oct 2014: Today marks the Start of Road Safety Week & A-CEART attended the Road Safety Annual Academic Road Safety Lecture in Dublin Castle. The Theme today was on the issues of "Fatigue, Sleep Disorders and Driving Risk delivered by Professor Walter Mc Nicholas, Director, Pulmonary and Sleep Disorders Unit, St. Vincent's University Hospital. Newman Professor, University College Dublin.
06 Oct 2014: So far this year we have lost 146 lives to road carnage, just one less than this date in 2013. That's 6 more lives gone unnecessarily in the last 6 days...things have got to change and fast, this needless loss of life on our roads has got to STOP!!!
30 Sept 2014: 140 people have lost their lives so far this year, 4 less than this date last year 2013. We have had 5 less collisions to date. 1 in 5 fatalities to date this year happen on Thursdays, and 20% of the deaths are in the over 55 year age group. 10% of all road deaths occurred among children under 16 years. This is very sad indeed. Vulnerable road users ie, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists account for 37%. Startling figures.
CHECK THE HOME PAGE ALSO FOR CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED- IN NEWS & EVENTS SECTION.
24th Sept 2014: A-CEART is relieved to say that as at 9:00 am today, we have killed two less people on our roads than on this same date in 2013...a slight improvement which is to be welcomed. To date 138 people have lost their lives on our roads (140 in 2013) there has been 7 fatalities for September so far, which is a vast improvement on most past months. Please let this improvement continue.
22 Sept 2014: A-CEART has received information from Professor Denis A. Cusack, Director at Medical Bureau of Road Safety (MBRS) UCD, Forensic Dept
with an update on progress made in relation to Roadside Chemical Drug Testing Devices to test for Drugged Driving, an issue A-CEART has been Lobbying about for 8 years with all Department Stakeholders for Road Safety....A-CEART very much welcomes this progress....see letter in Downloads further down this page.
15 Sept 2014: We are improving...4 more lives lost in 15 days since my last posting...135 to date...3 up on this same date in 2013. And, I came dangerously close to being a Statistic myself on last Friday evening, when a Male Driver in a Black Jeep talking on his hand held Mobile Phone missed me by about 2 Metres when he went Straight Through A Red Light at a Set of Traffic Lights..Thus, the reason for my Poster Campaign "DRIVING & MOBILE PHONES...A DEADLY COMBINATION"! .Enough said!!!
01 Sept 2014: 8 months into this year and we're still killing more than One person every other day!!! 3 more lives lost since i last posted. Road deaths now stands at 131 up till yesterday...4 worse than this same date year, 2013. Words cannot express how i feel about this constant carnage!!!
20th Aug 2014:...Sadly the carnage on our Roads continues....128 lives lost so far to date...8 more than this date in 2013....15 in 19 days til yesterday....32 in the last 6 weeks.
My home County of Donegal has now exceeded the National average with 6 Fatalities up to last Monday when a Senior Lady sadly lost her life near Bundoran.
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Road Safety Authority reveals the most dangerous Counties for Road users...see my Downloads...1st at Top of page.
17th Aug 2014:...Seventeen days into August, and the carnage continues to escalate....13 more lives lost since i last posted the number of lives lost on our roads.
126 people killed so far this year...7 more than this day in 2013....and, thats 30 more Fatalities in less than 6 weeks.....it's never ending!
31 July 2014:...End of the 7th month of 2014...and so the carnage keeps increasing day by day!
113 lives lost so far this year as compared to 108 for same amount of days in 2013-an increase of 5......20 of these fatalities are for the month of July just finished. It's Never Ending!!!
30 July 2014:...Minister Paschal Donohoe announces increase in Penalty Points for Speeding, Mobile Phone use while driving, None wearing of Seat belts etc.
A-CEART welcomes the Minister's Announcement! See Downloads on this page for full document from the Minister...in PDF form.
WE ARE GETTING WORSE...NOT BETTER...!!!
28 July 2014:...One week on since i last posted and sad to say...6 more fatalities...now standing at 111...18 for the month of July....how awful is that...18 more broken sad families in 28 days!. and 4 worse than this same date in 2013....something more positive and pro-active has got to be done to put STOP to this unnecessary carnage of our people as soon as possible!
23 July 2014:...I have written to the New Minister for Justice & Equality, Frances Fitzgerald, T.D. continuing where i left off with ex Minister Alan Shatter, T.D., lobbying for more Garda Personnel, more Garda Resources, and more powers for the Garda Reserve, ! Also, the issue of a Device to test drivers for Drugged Driving, which i have been lobbying about for over 8 years now! I also raised the issue of more Road Safety Education in our 2nd and 3rd Level Schools & Colleges.....plus a number of other issues...awaiting a reply!
21 July 2014...As of this morning at 9am, the road Fatalities continue to escalate...now standing at 105 so far this year...12 of these in July...what a waste of precious lives! We seriously need more Gardai, so A-CEART very much welcome the News in the Irish Independent today from the New Minister for Justice, Frances Fitzgerald, T.D, that the New Recruits that A-CEART has been Lobbling for, for a long time, are finally entering the Training College in Templemore this September. following the Embargo of 5 years.
11 July 2014...As of today 100 lives have been lost on our Irish (ROI) roads. With the most recent fatality occuring in Co. Donegal. This is a most alarming and disappointing trend and so very sad for so many families! Deepest Sympathies to all her family concerned.
In the first 3 months of the year the total fatalities stood at 43 and for the second three month plus 10 days the total fatalities stands at 100, as of 9am this morning.
Analysis: ...that means that for the first 90 days the figure was 43, and for the next 101 days the figure is 57. So in 191 days we have lost 100 precious lives to Road Carnage in the ROI..... One every otther day would be 91,....but it's worse than that at 100.....THIS HAS GOT TO CHANGE....AGENCIES MUST DO MORE TO SAVE LIVES ON OUR ROADS!!! ...SEE DOWNLOADS.
11 July 2014...The Irish Graduated Driving Licence GDL System for learner and novice drivers announced by the Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar, TD; and the RSA come into effect on 1st August 2014....See full report details in my Downloads.
03 May 2014;- Another Bank Holiday Weekend of Fatalities on our roads, with three lives taken...no joy in saying that was an improvement on 2013, when Five lives were taken....Never ending pain & suffering for all the Families concerned!
31 May 2014: The end of another Month and sadly the Road Fatalities and Injuries continue! No improvement on 2013 with the Fatalities figure standing at 73 up until yesterday...same as the same day 2013. And yet another added on Friday, with a 40 year old female pedestrian killed in a hit & run incident in Dublin, plus there was several collisions in the Capital also in the past few days. We still seem to be killing approx one every other dad on a monthly basis...there has to be a reason for this. I used to say..."When will it ever End" now I pray "When will it ever Improve"???
BY 11am TODAY....11 July 2014...THE ABOVE FATALITY NUMBERS HAS RISEN TO 102.....DEAR GOD WHEN WILL THIS EVER STOP....WHAT A WASTE OF LIFE...LIFE THAT IS SO VERY PRECIOUS!!!
27 May 2014:- A-CEART Appeal to all Road Users...Please Exercise "Courtesy, Care, Consideration & Responsibility" while driving and we will all have a Enjoyable & Collision Free Bank Holiday Weekend!
27 May 2014: RSA & AN GARDA SIOCHANA Appeal for support over this Bank Holiday Weekend...SLOW DOWN...!!!
23 May 2014: SEE MY LATEST DOWNLOADS...Third from Top of all Downloads...Re: Money pumped into Legalisation of DRUGS!
15 May 2014: DRUGGED DRIVING MORE COMMON THAN DRUNK DRIVING AMONG COLLEGE MALES...REF: Drug Partnership. Org....See my Downloads...2nd from Top.
15 May 2014: And the Carnage of our people continues on our roads....20 lives lost in the last 36 days....still almost one every other day....as of yesterday morning at 9am we have lost exactly the same amount of lives as this date in 2013....now standing at 67 Fatalities....One life lost is ONE TOO MANY....this is such a Needless and avoidable loss of precious lives...Something very different has got to be done to put STOP to this Carnage...Education has to be approached in a totally different way to put STOP to this Unnecessary Waste!
04 May 2014: Sadly the first Road Fatality of this May Bank Holiday Weekend, yest, was a young woman in her 30ies from Muff in the Co. Donegal, killed near Newtowncunningham, on the Letterkenny to Derry Main Road.
Siobhan Hutcheon, had three children in her car, and I don't know yet whether they were her own children or other? ... they are reported to be in a critical but stable condition in Hospital in another durisdiction.
Siobhan is the 6th Fatality on that same stretch of road in the past 5 years.....Time something was done about it! God comfort and console all Siobhan's Family and Friends!
This latest tragedy brings to 58 the number of fatalities on our Irish roads since the beginning of 2014.....29 of them drivers...exactly half of all the fatalities, and still at a rate of one life lost every other day!
23 Apr 2014: Marijuana Impairment Rising Among Drivers......See Downloads for full report!
22 April 2014: One more Bank Holiday over and sad to say, Bank Holiday's almost always bring more Fatalities on our roads! Three more lives claimed on the Irish Roads this Easter Bank Holiday from Thursday to Monday plus a 4yr old boy who was hit by a vehicle earlier in the week, lost the fight for his little life on Good Friday...God love his broken hearted parents & extended family circle...& also our condolences to the other three Fatalities over the Easter days! This brings to 54 the number of lives lost on our Irish roads, just four less than this same date in 2013.....11 for the month of April...still consistent with an average of one life lost "every other day"! Something has got to change this.!
Easter...Bank Holiday again...Please take care on our roads by Exercising-"Courtesy, Care, Consideration & Responsibility while Driving...& we will ALL have a Happy Easter/Pasha/Passover...
16 April 2014: STUDY SOUGHT ON LINK BETWEEN ROAD DEATHS & GARDA NUMBERS= www.irishtimes.com..... see article in my Downloads further down this page in Red.
"Driving & Mobile Phones: A Deadly Combination"....That has been the Poster Campaign for A-CEART since 2010 on a Poster Drawn by Kilmacrennan NS sixth Class Pupil, Aodhan Dorrian.
See Photos for Poster Pic.
New Legislation just brought in by the Department of Transport and the RSA, carries severe penalties for the practice of "using a Mobile Phone in any manner" WHILE DRIVING!!!
ie; 1,000 euro fine and a Mandatory appearance in Court if caught exercising this "Distracted" Driving practice.........NOT BEFORE TIME!!!
A-CEART REMEMBERING GARDA ROBBIE MC CALLION ON THE 5th ANNIVERSARY OF HIS DEATH...GARDA ROBBIE LOST HIS LIFE IN THE LINE OF DUTY AND PASSED AWAY ON 07th APRIL 2009...A-CEART WEBSITE WAS DEDICATED TO HIS MEMORY AT IT's LAUNCH ON 27th APRIL 2010.....NEVER FORGOTTEN ROBBIE....YOU WERE ONE OF THE BEST!!!
07-April 2014: Road Fatalities continue in spite of all the awareness campaigns, but thankfully the number of lives lost are declining with 3 fewer fatalities to date compared to this date last year. The figure now stands at 46 lives lost, with a young man dead last night in a single vehicle collision in Co. Wexford that's 3 for April already....Deepest Sympathy & Condolences to his family & friends on their sad loss & the other lives lost also!
04 April 2014: A-CEART Welcomes the Graduation of the 79 New Garda Reserves in a Ceremony at the Garda College in Templemore today by the Interim Garda Commissioner, Noirin O'Sullivan.
The New Reserve consisted of 58 men and 21 women and included a variety of Nationalities. They included Irish, Ukrainian, Chinese, Polish and Romanian, which brings the current strength of the Reserve Force to 1,294.
Full Press Release in my DOWNLOADS further down this page in red.
29 Mar 2014: IS EUPHORIA OF RECREATIONAL POT CLOUDING OUR COMMON SENSE? See full report in my DOWNLOADS..on this page.
27 Mar 2014: THIS IS "SWITCH OFF BEFORE YOU DRIVE OFF DAY"....In the interest of Road Safety... A-CEART is supporting and promoting this RSA & GARDA Initiative....It may "SAVE A LIFE".See the RSA & GARDA Logo for this Campaign in my Downloads.
25th Mar 2014: Fatalities are down by 5 on this date last year! This is welcome news, however there has been 13 Fatalities in March to date, and that's more than one life lost every other day! that's not Good News! I extend my sincere sympathy & condolences to ALL those Families who have been Bereaved by Road Traffic Collisions!
20 Mar 2014: A-CEART attended the Road Safety Authority (RSA) Annual International Road Safety Conference in Dublin Castle. Theme: Driver Distraction.
This was as always, a very Thought Provoking and most Inspiring Conference, with Presentations delivered by a number of very eminent speakers from a number of Countries.
The Conference HIGHLIGHTED THE DANGERS OF DRIVER DISTRACTION: See details in my DOWNLOADS on this page at the end of all texts.
19 Mar 2014: And the Road Fatalities goes on & on! Two more Lives Lost over the St. Patrick's Festivities....11 people killed on our roads so far for March up until yesterday..38 lives lost so far this year!
06 Mar 2014: The Road Fatalities continue ... 4 more lives lost and more broken families in the six days into March...31 lives lost so far this year....an improvement of 8 less on the same date in 2013...but 31 too many....when will the heartache ever END???
06 Mar 2014: Received letter today from Transport Minister, Deputy Leo Varadkar updating me on the progress in relation to Tenders for the SALIVA SWAB TESTING DEVICE FOR ROADSIDE DRUG TESTINGSEE DOWNLOADS:...
26 Feb 2014: Woman Fined 15,000 Euro for Selling Head Shop Drug...See in my Downloads in News & Events Top Article!
26 Feb 2014: Sadly the Fatalities continue to rise on an every other day occurrence ...27 Killed so far this year and 12 of these in February....None for the past 3 days thankfully.!
21 Feb 2014: The Penalty Points for the three most constant offences have ALL been increased by ONE....Speeding & Caught Using a Mobile Phone up from 2-3 & 4-5 if up in Court for the offence and loose.
The offence of Hit & Run is increased to 20,000 Euro and 10 years in Prison....I wish that Law had been in Force when our Young Uncle was Killed almost 42 years ago.! A Pain that hasn't yet healed !!!20 Feb 2014: Information on the New and additional Penalty Points in the New Legislation will be posted shortly....Had it Posted already and lost it...Timed out!
20 Feb 2014: Sadly the Fatality figures are creeping upwards again in Feb with one life being lost every other day since 31st Jan...much more needs to be done to put stop to this escalation!
14 Feb 2014: Some better news for a change...thankfully the Fatalities are 5 less yesterday as compared to the same date last year 2013....20 lost lives to date as opposed to 25 last year....5 so far for February! See Downloads at bottom of page...1st in Red.
12 Feb 2014:....See TOP 10 TIPS FOR DRIVING IN SNOW...by RSA in my Downloads at bottom of this age...1st one.
10 Feb 2014: As of 9am today, 20 lives have been lost to FRTC's so far this year...5 of those are for February....
07 Feb 2014: A-CEART has received correspondence from the MBRS with an update on the progress in relation to the SALIVA SWAB TESTING EQUIPMENT FOR ROADSIDE TESTING OF DRUGGED DRIVERS.....more details later
05 Feb 2014: It is with sadness that A-CEART has learned of the Tragic Death of 28 year old John Campbell Junior, Kilcar, Co. Donegal, beloved Son of an associate & friend of A-CEART, John Campbell, Schools Coach and Former Chairman of FINN HARPS F C, Ballybofey, Co. Donegal, and from Kilcar, Co. Donegal where his Son lost his life in a Tragic Accident...We convey our most sincere & heartfelt condolences to John and ALL his Family.
05 Feb 2014: Two lives lost already in February...One Driver and One Pedestrian....Please exercise "Courtesy, Care & Consideration with Responsibility" while using the Roads of Our Country....Road Safety is EVERYONE's Responsibility...Please Slow Down...& DON'T DRINK or DRUG DRIVE.!
04 Jan 2014: Weather Alert from the AA...TREES DOWN ALL OVER THE COUNTRY...PLEASE DRIVE WITH CARE....AND SLOW...!!!
31 Jan 2014 : A total of 18 lives lost in the month of January, that's more than one every other day...and one Fatality already for Feb....what can I say...Awful...Never ending...!!!28 Jan 2014: SEANAD DEBATE RE: EXTRA POWERS FOR GARDA RESERVE...28 Jan 2014: SEANAD EIREANN - 28-Jan - 2014 GARDA RESERVE ISSUE - EXTRA POWERS...Raised by Senator Martin Conway...See DOWNLOADS
28 Jan 2014: Twenty eight (28) Days into the New Year, and 14 lives have been lost to Road Traffic Collisions = One life lost in the ROI every other day...What does that say about all the hard work done by ALL the Road Safety Campaigns and the Many Stakeholders delivering the Road Safety Messages??? Is ANYONE listening out there??? Sincerest Condolences to ALL the Bereaved & Brokenhearted Families & Friends left behind to carry the Pain & Loss forever...!!!
25 Jan 2014: Motorists in fatal accidents had earlier offences quashed...committee to be told!
24 Jan 2014: Sadly 11 lives lost to road tragedies in 24 days this year = almost one lost every other day...it just goes on and on!
17 Jan 2014 : Sadly there has been one more Fatality on our roads today when a Young Mother, a Pedestrian pushing her Baby in her Pram was hit by a vehicle in Dublin and was killed, and her baby is in Hospital...What tragic circumstances for all the Families concerned...Condolences to them all.
16 Jan 2014: After a very sad start to the New Year...thankfully there's No Bad News to report in the last 3 days, and we are three Fatalities less today as compared to this date last year, 2013. Hope it stays at lower and much less, preferably No Fatalities or serious injuries in future!
Since the beginning of the year we have been informed by the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar, that Tenders have been sent out for a Costing to Manufacturers of the Equipment to be used..."The Saliva Swab System" to Test Drivers at Roadside for Drugged Driving....This is Welcome Progress indeed, as A-CEART has been Lobbying for A Device to Test for Drugged Driving since 2005. We would have preferred a Device called an Intoxalyzer, but at least this "Saliva Testing" will be a START...!!! I phoned the Minister's Office yesterday for an Update, but his Private Secretary who is Privy to the information I requested was Out of Office....A letter is being sent to him today!
13 Jan 2014: Welcome Back to the A-CEART Website;
As those of you who habitually would have paid a visit to this website will have noticed...It has been down for the past 7 weeks...through NO FAULT on my part, I hasten to ADD! That said, I am very glad to have My Website up and running again....Sadly the News has Not been good since the site has been down!
28 Dec 2013; https://plus.google.com/116352978863768585270/posts/SXode1kzpVv
2013 Ended with 190 precious lives lost on our ROI Roads...An increase of 28 on the previous year...This is so very Sad for ALL of the Bereaved Families and Friends of the Deceased Persons...And very discouraging and disappointing for ALL Road Safety Campaigners and Stakeholders in Road Safety. As you can see from my last update on 24 Nov....20 more lives were lost in 37 days to the year end!
Also sad to say, 2014 has had a very Sad and Discouraging start, with 7 Precious Lives been taken in the first 13 days of the New Year....Deepest and Sincere Sympathy & Condolences to ALL the Bereaved Families.
And, not forgetting ALL those people who were seriously injured in road collisions...some of their injuries having a permanent effect. THIS CONSTANT UNNECESSARY LOSS OF LIFE ON OUR ROADS HAS GOT TO STOP!
MAKE JUST ONE CHANGE...If we All make "Just One Change in our Driving Behavior "...That May Just "SAVE A LIFE"...It's Never TOO LATE to make that New Years Resolution...Please Do It Now...!!!
Also, The Road Fatalities in Northern Ireland are causing grave concern to the PSNI and Their Transport Department & other agencies...As 6 Precious Lives have been lost in the Six Counties already this Month....My Sincere Sympathies also to All Families and Friends of the Deceased!
24 Nov 2013: 170 Precious Lives Lost To RTC's on our Roads so far this year....No words will suffice...the three most recent being in Donegal, Cork and today in Kilkenny...all three since Tuesday!
So much has been happening since last update...have been indisposed
On "World Day of Remembrance" Today 17th Nov... So very Sad to post that Two more lives have been lost in RTC's and One more seriously injured in the past 16 hours on Irish Roads...that brings to 167 precious lives lost so far...22 more than this day 2012...12 more broken families since I last posted on 27th Oct...that's just 21 days ago.! When will this Carnage Ever End???
27 OCT 2013: Road Fatalities continues to rise: So far this year 155 precious lives has been lost on our Irish roads. That's 14 worse than the same period last year. October hasn'nt been the worst month, with 9 fatalities so far, but the Bank Holiday Weekend isn't over yet! Please "Obey the Rules of the Road", so that hopefully there won't be any more sadness and broken hearts for Families and Friends this Hoiday Weekend.!
18 oct 2013: A-CEART welcomes the announcement today by Justice Minister, Alan Shatter, T.D; that over 30,000 people have expressed an interest in joining An Garda Siochana. The recruitment competition will start in six weeks to select 150 applicants, and a further 200 will be recruited in three month after that, to ensure that the numbers do not dip below 13,000. This is most welcome news for the A-CEART Campaign as we have been lobbying on this issue for a long time.
14 OCT 2013: The Donegal County Council in partnership with other agencies are holding a Seminar on 24th OCT 2013 in Donegal Town in conjunction with Social Inclusion Week:
Call Christina O'Donnell at Donegal County Council to Register your Interest at 07491-53900....See my Downloads on this page for Poster on the Seminar details. (1st Download)
10 Oct 2013: Sadly the Fatality figures continue to increase...now at 149...that's 4 in the first ten days of October...more brokenhearted families and friends suffering the pain of unnecessary loss.
07 Oct 2013: A-CEART replied to Letters from Minister's Alan Shatter,, T.D; and Brendan Howlin, T.D, Re: promise of New Recruitment of An Garda Siochana.
02 OCT2013: As the Road Fatalities continue to rise....18 higher than the 9 months in 2012, and as Burglaries also continue to increase, A-CEART receives a very timely Reply letter from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Minister Brendan Howlin, T.D; with confirmation that he has Sanctioned the necessary Finances to allow the Dept of Justice & Equality/Garda Management to commence the process for Recruitment to An Garda Siochana. This process is currently underway....See Download in Lobbying page. All downloads are in Red.
30 SEPT 2013: 4 more road Fatalities since update on 26th, brings to 17 for the month of September and 145 so far this year, that's 18 higher than the same period in 2012. Looks like all the dedicated work of All Road Safety Organisations working to save lives is falling on deaf ears.26 SEPT 2013: 5 more Fatalities in the last 9 days.... The Central Statistics Office figures have just Published that Crime is down right throughout the Country, but Sadly for all the Bereaved Families of the Increase in Road Traffic Collisions, this Publication is little Comfort...Figures for Road Fatalities is up by 18 on this same date last year and Septembers Fatalities are exactly "One Every Other Day"...now at 13 on 26th of the month.
We definitely need our Garda Traffic Corps increased to Enforce the Law to Save Lives...This Loss of Life has got to STOP...!!!
25 SEPT 2013: Mr. Alan Shatter, T.D; Minister for Justice, Equality & Defense made an announcement to The Dail today informing them of his plans for re- commencement of Recruiting An Garda Siochana trainees in Templemore by Mid 2014 and the criteria to be followed with regards to the numbers that will be trained....ie, to replace the number of retirements and to keep the number of the Force up to 13,000;
A-CEART received this information from both the Minister and the Garda Commisioner on two different dates in July past, details of which are on the website in Downloads in News and Lobbying pages.
A-CEART welcomes the Minister's announcement to the Dail.
25 SEPT 2013:
Road Fatalities Rising Fast...unacceptable increase in Fatalities this year ...So far there has been 141 people who have lost their lives...4 lost in the last 5 days....We certainly Need more Garda for more Enforcement!
17 SEPT 2013: So very Sad...Road Fatalities continue to rise rapidly...136 Lives Lost up to this date at 9:00 am....that's 15 up on 2012 at the same date.... My heart goes out to all Families who are loosing their loved ones to Road Traffic Collisions......It makes me question whether God ever meant for us to use Mechanically Propelled Vehicles of any kind, as a means of Transport...If we don't know how to control them properly???
In the last 4 days, Counties, Meath, Kildare, Westmeath and Clare have all had Fatalities! 4 lives lost in 4 days! Something has gone terribly wrong!!!
See my Downloads for details.
16 SEPT 2013: Road Fatalities continue....Yet another Pedestrian knocked down and killed this a.m. near Trim, Co. Meath......Sincere Sympathy & condolences is extended to his Bereaved Family & Friends.
TEENAGERS WHO SMOKE CANNABIS DAMAGE THEIR BRAINS AND MAY BE MORE LIKELY TO DEVELOP SCHIZOPHRENIA.....SEE DOWNLOADS at Bottom of Page.
WDC13 poster NPS 420x594 EN PRINT....Photos of what Narcotic Psychoactive Substances look like....Teenagers and Parents of Teenagers have a look in my Downloads.
13 SEPT 2013 : Road Fatalities to date are 13 worse than this same date in 2012...now at 132
12 SEPT 2013 : A-CEART's Response from the NRA's Regional Road Safety Engineer...Re : Speeding on the Port/4 Lanes Road, LETTERKENNY, Co. Donegal on 07 Jan 2013.
An old Problem with Speeding and Collisions on this Road...REVISITED on 11 Sept 2013. ...See DOWNLOAD at bottom of page.
11 SEPT 2013: RSA Urges Junior Cert Students to be Streetwise following Exam Results....See Download PdfNew Study shows Cannabis effects on Driving Skills:......See DownloadsMental Health toll of skunk cannabis: Go to my twitter A/c to read the full report... Mary A-CEART@NiGiollaBui
09 SEPT 2013:
Nine days into September and the Carnage Continues:
To date 131 precious lives have been killed on the roads of our 26 Counties and a further 39 lives lost on the roads of the other 6 Counties on the Island of Ireland. Even though Motorcyclists represent only a small fraction of road users, 26 have lost their lives so far this year as compaired to 16 for the 12 months in 2012. That's more than 15% of all road users. So far,170 people, most of them young gone forever. So many more Brokenhearted Families and Friends left behind to bear the Pain of their loss. So much unnecessary suffering as most of these Fatalities are avoidable! So many empty chairs at Christmas and other Family Celebrations...So much Potential and future plans wiped out in a Split Second...that's all it takes to turn peoples lives upside down!!!
"Courtesy, Care & Consideration would go a long way towards avoiding all this unnecessary Carnage. Please take Responsibility for Attitude & Behavior on our Roads and Maybe it will "SAVE A LIFE" Even Your Own...!!!
02 Sept 2013 : Garda Traffic Fatalities for year to date in my Downloads:
02 Sept 2013 : RSA Report:
89% Reduction in Children Killed on Our Roads Between 1997 and 2012: See Pdf Downloads for full Article:
1 SEPT 2013: UK is EUROPE'S "ADDICTION'S CAPITAL" Say's THINK TANK.......see Downloads for details.
27 July 2013:
A-CEART Welcomes Reply letter from The Garda Commissioner: Downloads at bottom of this page.
Full report write-up shortly.
26 AUG 2013:
More bereaved families today:
Another young man in his 20;s sadly killed at 6:00am this morning in Co. Cavan...When will this ever End? While the man killed in a Hit & Run Collision yesterday morning has been named as 48 year old Alan Mc Sherry, originally from Liverpool, but living in Co. Leitrim, with his wife for 20 years according to News reports. That brings to 126 the number of people killed on our 26 County Roads since the beginning of 2013. Ten (10) more than 2012 to the same date. Nine (9) of these Fatalities happened in Co. Donegal. The total fatalities for Co. Donegal for 12 months last year was Seven (7). Deepest Sympathy to All concerned. Download info at bottom of page !
25 AUG 2013:
Sadly yet another road fatality in Co. Donegal in the early hours of this am A man in his late forties (40's) was tragically killed in a suspect Hit & Run collision near Bundoran. It is believed the deceased was from Co. Leitrim. A-CEART founder & chair extends deepest condolences & sympathy to the family & friends of the deceased.
21 AUG 2013:
Alarming and Saddening Rise in Road Fatalities so far this year.! See Downloads on this page.
New study shows Cannabis effects on Driving Skills:
See my Downloads at the bottom of page.
12 AUG 2013:
Sadly, yet another young man, 21 years of age, killed today in Baileybourough, Co. Cavan, but from Co. Monaghan on his way to work in his Family Business. That brings to:...
119 precious lives Killed on our Irish roads in 224 days so far this year...that's 7 more Fatalities than in the same period in 2012. And 8 for the month of Aug to date! Not forgetting all the injured, many of them permanent. Most if not all of these Fatalities & injuries are unnecessary and avoidable. Exercising "Courtesy, Care, Consideration & Responsibility" on our roads would go a long way in preventing all this Heartache, Sadness and Pain suffered for many years to come by the Families and Friends left behind to carry this Cross of the loss of a loved one. The empty chair at every Family meal and Celebration...The ONE that's Not there. Not forgetting all the future plans and prospects gone forever.
Please SLOW DOWN and Obey The Rules of the Road...."Say NO to Drink & Drugged Driving" It Just Might "SAVE A LIFE"...."THIS CARNAGE HAS GOT TO STOP"!!!
09 AUG 2013:
A-CEART receives reply from Deputy Joe Mc Hugh, T.D.
Response and follow-up to Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter, T.D. Letter
08 AUG 2013
It was with shock and sadness that we learned today of the Resignation of Mr. Noel Brett, CEO, RSA, taking effect from the end of October.. He will be a huge loss to the Road Safety Authority and will be certainly missed!
My Reply is in Downloads in News at the bottom of this page.
AUGUST BANK HOLIDAY 2013:
Where have ALL our Young Men gone...Gone to Graveyards Every One,...When Will They Ever Learn...When Will They Ever Learn????
If this Breaks my Heart...What Does It Do To Their Families & Friends??? This Carnage of Our Nations Young People HAS GOT TO STOP...!!!
05 AUG 2013:
More sad news this morning...yet another young life wiped off the face of the Earth
Another young man in his early 20's lost his life in yet another Road Traffic Collision of the August Bank Holiday weekend in Dublin City in the early hours yet again around 2; 40 am. Also, at least one other young man who was in the vehicle is in a critical condition in hospital.. Deepest sympathy & Condolences to his Family & Friends..
Update 07 AUG 2013: Sadly one more young man involved in the above collision in Dublin City, has lost his fight for life yesterday in hospital...Which brings to 5 the number of precious lives lost over this AUGUST Bank Holiday weekend!
04 AUG 2013:
Sadly more news of Road Tragedy this morning...When will this Carnage of our young people ever END?
Another young man 22 years old killed in a Road Traffic Collision in Co. Meath near Ashbourne in the early hours of this morning! Deepest Sympathy & Condolences to his Family & Friends.
03 AUG 2013:
Sad News for Donegal:
Horrific crash/collision in Co. Donegal this morning...Two young men in their late teens or early twenties were tragically killed and died at the scene of a single vehicle collision at Kinnegar, near Rathmullan at 3; 10 am. Two other young men were seriously injured in the collision and have been Airlifted to Altnagelvin Hospital. The two men who are deceased are from Letterkenny. We extend our Deepest Sympathy & condolences to the Families & Friends of these young men...and wish that the other two injured men pull through
NAMED:
The two young Co. Donegal men tragically killed yesterday morning, have been Named as; 19 year old Shaun Graham; & 21 year old Matthew Crawford, both from Letterkenny,. The two men injured in the collision remain in Hospital.
24th July 2013 & 8th July 2013:
A-CEART receives Reply from the GARDA Commissioner, Martin Callinan's Office:
Our proposal has been forwarded to the Assistant Commissioner, Human Resource Management Dept for consideration.
write-up will follow shortly!