The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) are appealing to people travelling abroad over the summer months not to leave road safety in the departure lounge.

 

This comes as figures obtained from the Department of Foreign Affairs indicate that up to 193 Irish citizens died while abroad in 2011, an decrease of 18 people on 2010 figures. A number of these were as a result of road collisions. Further research indicates that 9 Irish people alone have been killed in road crashes in Australia from 2010 to 2012. A number of others were also seriously injured in road crashes in Australia.

 

An estimated 40,000 people emigrated in 2011 according to the Central Statistics Office (CSO). The total number of Irish people emigrating in the 2006-08 period was 42,000, but in the period 2009-11, it rose to 86,000 people.

 

The RSA and USI are asking anyone who is planning to travel over the coming months to be aware of the risks associated with driving in an unfamiliar country and familiarise themselves with the road traffic law at their destination. Mr. Noel Brett, Chief Executive, RSA said: “It’s an exciting time, embarking on a trip with your friends or family and getting the opportunity to see another country. Our message is to be safe on the roads wherever you are and don’t let tragedy come in the way of your adventure. Road deaths happen everywhere but they can be prevented if you are a safe road user.”

 

 

The RSA is advising anyone who is considering travelling abroad as a driver, motorcyclist, cyclist or pedestrian, to familiarise themselves with the rules of the road of the country they are visiting.

 

“After a long flight, you will be tired, my advice is leave the driving until you have slept and rested. You don’t want to fall asleep behind the wheel! In some countries a level of alcohol is permitted while driving, our advice is to never ever drink and drive, don’t risk it.” added Mr. Brett.

 

Mr. Gary Redmond, President, Union of Students in Ireland (USI) is urging students to always buckle up your seatbelt, “If you are not strapped in and you crash, you will be thrown around the car injuring or killing yourself or other passengers. Without a seatbelt you are a potential killer.”

 

Redmond added “Many young people are needlessly killed on our roads. While abroad, good weather means that many young people are out walking or cycling. If so, please make yourself visible to motorists. Wear something reflective, so you can be seen even if darkness falls unexpectedly. Drivers cannot avoid what they cannot see. If you are heading out socialising, please leave the car at home if you are drinking get a taxi, bus or take turns with your friends to be the designated driver. Don’t drink or drug drive and certainly don’t accept a lift from a friend that has been drinking alcohol or taking drugs.”

Dont Be a Turkey Arrive home Alive and Drive Safely

Redmond highlighted that “In foreign countries the road conditions are often very different to Ireland and can change rapidly. Familiarise yourself with the local rules of the road and insure that you have the correct license and insurance for the vehicle you are travelling in. Enjoy your trip but remember to slow down and arrive home alive.”

 

The RSA has the following advice for anyone planning to drive in another country:

 

• Familiarise yourself with the rules of the road of the country you will be visiting;
• Check your licence is valid in that country: you must be aged 18 with a full licence to drive in most EU Countries, with the exception of Austria, Germany, Hungry, United Kingdom and Norway, where a full licence holder is allowed to drive at the age of 17;
• Don’t drive after a long flight when the risk of falling asleep at the wheel will be significantly higher;
• Know the law of the country you will be visiting as the penalties for road traffic offences could be more serious;
• Learner permits are not valid outside of Ireland. This means that people driving outside of the Republic of Ireland on a learner permit are not licenced to do so;
• Don’t carry more passengers than the vehicle allows;
• If you buy a vehicle while abroad, make sure you know the history of the vehicle, ensure it has the equivalent to the Irish NCT, has seatbelts fitted for every passenger and ensure that every passenger wears them;
• Never ever drink and drive, regardless of the law.

 

For further information on road safety abroad, visit the Department of Foreign Affairs website at www.dfa.ie. For information on the rules of the road in other countries, visit their respective websites.

Courtesy of RSA Ireland

Of the 2,200 learner drivers checked over the course of the investigation, 43 per cent were not accompanied by a fully-licensed driver, and 30 per cent were not displaying L plates.

Gardaí say that in some cases both offences were committed by the same driver.

An Garda Síochána says that 59 people have lost their lives on Irish roads so far this year, and that gardaí will continue to crack down on risky behaviours such as speeding, drink or drug driving, non use of seatbelts, reckless driving and use of mobile phones.

Assistant Commissioner John O’Mahony said: “We appeal to all road users to continue to do all they can in keeping our roads as safe as they can be… We especially wish to remind all learners permit holders of their legal obligations with regards to displaying L-plates, being accompanied by qualified drivers at all times and motorway restrictions.”

Noel Brett, CEO, Road Safety Authority welcomed the Garda enforcement , saying “a learner permit is just that – a permit, it is not a driving licence.”

A Learner Permit allows an individual to learn to drive under certain conditions until they are ready to take a driving test, which includes being accompanied by a driver who has held their full licence for more than two years and that ‘L’ plates are displayed at all times to alert other drivers to the presence of a novice driver.

Courtesy of thejournal.ie http://jrnl.ie/442680

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is advising all road users to take extra care using the roads as Met Eireann has issued a Weather Warning today Wednesday 16th November for heavy rain in West Munster and West Connacht. Some periods of very heavy rainfall are expected from Thursday morning through to Saturday morning with accumulations of up to 80mm expected leading to some flooding in places. Heaviest rainfall expected in the coastal counties of the West where coastal flooding is expected.  The poor weather will create potentially hazardous conditions for road users. As such the RSA is advising drivers that; It takes longer to stop a vehicle on wet roads so slow down and allow extra distance between you and the vehicle in front, use the 4 second rule Take special care when driving behind goods vehicles as they generate a considerable amount of spray which reduces your visibility, hold back to where you can see their mirrors Watch out for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists Use dipped headlights at all times of poor visibility not parking/side lights and fog lights Be mindful of Aquaplaning on roads where 100/120kmh speeds apply. Aquaplaning occurs where the tyre tread fills with water Pedestrian, cyclists and motorcyclists are advised to be safe and be seen. Wear bright clothing with high visibility vest, reflective armbands or a reflective sam brown belt, you should also carry a torch Pedestrians should walk on a footpath, not in the street. Walk on the right hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths  With added risks posed flooded roads the RSA has the following advice; If the road ahead is flooded choose another route, do not attempt to drive through it. Flooded roads that appear shallow could be deeper than you think. After going through water, drive slowly with your foot on the brake pedal for a short distance – this helps to dry the brakes. Sometimes roads can be closed due to their fragile state after wet weather or because they are blocked by flooding. Road users should always follow recommended routes and obey signs closing roads to traffic Watch out for washed out roads, earth slides, broken water or sewer mains, loose or downed electrical wires, and fallen or falling objects
Further advice on using the road in severe weather can be found at the RSA’s website;

The call is being made as the RSA has become aware of certain websites in Ireland and the UK offering to book a theory test and driving test, for a charge.

There is no need for anyone to pay a third party website to book a driving test or theory test, as it can be done easily at www.rsa.ie or www.theorytest.ie where the only cost you will incur is the cost of the test itself.

The RSA is also warning learner drivers of the dangers of passing on their personal details, such as PPS and driver number to these sites.

While such information is required to book a test, it should only be provided when booking a theory test and driving test on the official RSA Driving Test application website at www.rsa.ie and official driver theory test website at www.theorytest.ie

The RSA has highlighted the gathering of such personal data by these unofficial sites to the Data Protection Commissioner, and National Consumer Agency. The RSA has also made contact with these websites to state our concerns.

The RSA has also responded by increasing its online marketing activity to signpost driving test and theory test candidates to the official RSA driving test and theory test booking websites.

To book a driving test visit the RSA’s online application website at: https://www.rsa.ie/Apply-online

To book a driver theory test visit the Theory Test online application website at: http://www.theorytest.ie/english/driver-theory-test/index.php

Here are some tips from Leinster School of Motoring.

• When driving at sunset or sunrise dazzle can be a problem. Ensure that you keep your windscreen clean and free from smears which will be enhanced by low sun. If driving into the sun be aware that drivers behind may be dazzled and may not see you if you stop (see previous tips for avoiding being ‘rear ended’). If the sun is low behind you, be aware that oncoming drivers may be dazzled.

• In conditions of poor visibility use dipped headlights. This is not so that you can see but so that other road users can see you. If most around you have their lights on, the chances are that you should too. You may be able to see other vehicles but the motorcyclist with a rain soaked visor, the pedestrian with poor eyesight or the driver with misted up windows may mistake you for a gap in the traffic with obvious consequences.

• Only use rear foglights in extreme conditions (a good guideline is when the vehicles in front become difficult to see) and always remember to switch them off when conditions improve. Front foglights (lights mounted below the bumper are usually foglights) should only be used in thick fog or snow.

• Your vehicle will take much longer to stop on a wet surface, particularly one covered with wet leaves. Adjust your speed and leave a longer following distance so that you are always able to stop in the distance seen to be clear. Find out whether your car has ABS brakes. It will make a difference to how you will need to use them in an emergency stop.

• Watch out for children walking and cycling to and from school. Many schools unfortunately insist upon dark coloured clothing which can make them difficult to spot.

• Ensure your tyres, brakes, wipers, heater and demisters are in excellent order
I hope you find these tips helpful!

Safe Driving from all at Leinster School of Motoring

Danny has been driving for over 30 years and teaching that skill for nearly 10 years. As you would expect, he is an RSA approved and registered driving instructor (Registration Number 36386).

We at Leinster School of Motoring are now recruiting other driving instructors throughout the Leinster region. The positions are on a franchise basis meaning; you are a self employed driving instructor giving you total freedom of when and where you work. We don’t believe in charging extortionate signing on fees or the dreaded referral fee system. Leinster School of Motoring wants to create a brand that will be the number one stop for all learner driver needs and to be recognised as an Industry leader when it comes to driver tuition.

If you feel you would like to join our expanding team go to the franchise opportunities section on or website for more information or drop us a line at info@leinsterschoolofmotoring.ie

We at Leinster School of Motoring are now recruiting other driving instructors throughout the Leinster region. The positions are on a franchise basis meaning; you are a self employed driving instructor giving you total freedom of when and where you work. We don’t believe in charging extortionate signing on fees or the dreaded referral fee system. Leinster School of Motoring wants to create a brand that will be the number one stop for all learner driver needs and to be recognised as an Industry leader when it comes to driver tuition.

If you feel you would like to join our expanding team go to the franchise opportunities section on or website for more information or drop us a line at info@leinsterschoolofmotoring.ie

Yesterday’s parliamentary vote means that motorists can be punished for traffic offences committed in other parts of the EU. Those offences include drink driving, speeding, failing to use a seatbelt and the illegal use of the hard shoulder.

MEP for Ireland South, Phil Prendergast, said that the directive means that non-national and Northern Irish drivers who break traffic laws in the Republic can be punished:

There have been a number of false dawns in relation to Northern drivers getting away with offences on our side of the border. But so far the only agreement between the jurisdictions relates to disqualified drivers.

We also have a problem with Irish residents from other EU states avoiding punishment for traffic offences here because their car is registered in their home country. This directive will bring an end to almost all of that.

Prendergast added that EU data suggests that non-resident drivers are three times more likely to commit a driving offence than a resident motorist.

However, Ireland must choose to ‘opt in’ to this directive before it can be enacted here. Under the directive, information on traffic offences will be shared across member states to facilitate prosecution.

Euractiv reports that the fines may not be imposed for up to two years from now.

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar is using the publication of the Road Traffic No 2 Bill today to initiate a new approach to the legislative process.

Under the bill, a new class of novice or restricted driving licence will be created, which will apply for two years after qualifying.

These ‘R’ drivers and learner drivers will receive higher penalty points for certain offences, including exceeding the speed limit, driving while not wearing a safety belt and using a mobile phone while driving.

There will also be a lower drink-drive limit for such drivers – 20mg per 100ml of blood.

The lower blood alcohol level for non-restricted drivers will be 50mg per 100ml of blood, down from 80mg of alcohol per 100ml.

It is expected the new levels will come into place this autumn, once all the related evidential breath testing equipment is in place for the new levels and the gardaí have been trained in them.

The lower limits have been passed and enacted but cannot be commenced until the draft bill is passed.

Also under the draft bill, plastic card driving licenses will be introduced to comply with EU requirements.

The Road Safety Authority will be put in charge of the driving licence system and the testing of commercial vehicles for roadworthiness.

Vehicles deemed non-roadworthy can be detained or destroyed under the bill.

Local authorities will also be allowed to provide parking and charging bays for electric vehicles.

Minister Varadkar said:

This is the second piece of road traffic legislation that I have initiated this year, reflecting my intention to build on the momentum of recent years. We need to make travelling safer and we must not lose focus.

He described the bill as an “important step” in improving parliamentary democracy.

The draft bill will be presented to the Oireachtas committee on the Environment, Transport, Culture and Gaeltacht today, who will submit their views on the plans within a month.

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