A number of road safety activities will take place around the country during 'Irish Road Safety Week', from Monday 10th October with the RSA's Annual Lecture on Road Safety in Dublin Castle. The focus of this year's lecture will be on young drivers aged 17 - 24 years old.
To date this year, some 142 people have lost their lives on Irish roads, a reduction of 14 on the same period last year. Of these, almost half were drivers, and 30 of the deaths were pedestrians.
Brian O'Neill, President ITIA says it's a good idea to check your tyres regularly, but the average Irish motorist doesn't always give tyres the attention they deserve. "Overlooking your tyres is a mistake. When it comes to the roadworthiness of your car, and the safety of those traveling in it, few things are more critical than a good set of properly selected, professionally fitted, correctly inflated tyres."During 'Irish Road Safety Week', the ITIA will be providing a free tyre check at participating centers and Mr O'Neill encourages road-users to avail of this service and ensure they are traveling safely.
The 'Check it Fits', child car seats Roadshow visits Ballina, Galway, Limerick, Maynooth and Tallaght from Saturday 8 October to Wednesday 12 October. At 'Check it Fits' in Galway, Limerick and Tallaght, Advance Pitstop will offer motorists a free 5-point 'health check' for their car including tires, brakes, shocks, lights/levels and wipers. For further information visit www.rsa.ie/childsafetyincars
An initiative on tyre safety is being rugby the Irish Tyre Industry Association with a focus on the need to maintain your tires, especially coming into the winter months. Free tyre checks will be available nationally at participating tyre centers, along with a free safety pack (while stocks last). Further information at www.itia.ie
'Beep Beep Day!' on road safety awareness takes place on Friday 14 October in almost 1,400 pre schools throughout the country to celebrate Irish Road Safety Week. Children aged five and under will practice basic road safety messages with the 'Simon and Friends' road safety storybooks, songs, games and activities. Information on child safety in cars is also being distributed to parents. This event is coordinated nationally by the RSA and organized locally by the County and City Childcare Committees.
'European Night Without Accident' takes place on Saturday 15th October in counties Cork, Kildare, Meath, Waterford, and Donegal. The initiative is run by young adult volunteers aged 17 - 29 who encourage each group to choose a 'designated driver' who agrees to promise that they will commit themselves to being sober when they sit behind the wheel of the vehicle. When the 'designated drivers' leave the nightclub, the volunteers give them the opportunity to undergo a breath analysis to check if they have honored their commitment.
For more information on 'Irish Road Safety Week' and the activities planned for your county, visit the RSA website at www.rsa.ie
