RSA alcohol campaign for summer festivals

Main pic by George Charry via Pexels.

The Road Safety Authority is bringing its summer road safety campaign to some of Ireland’s biggest concerts, festivals and sporting events, writes Brian Byrne, with a strong focus on the dangers of drink driving.

The initiative, which began at Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds at Malahide Castle, will see the RSA attend major events nationwide in the coming months. A key part of the campaign is the use of FlineBox interactive breathalysers, powered by Dräger alcohol sensor technology, allowing people to voluntarily check their breath alcohol level and get guidance on when it is safe to drive.

The campaign comes as new RSA research shows alcohol remains a factor in serious and fatal road collisions. Between 2021 and 2025, 384 surviving drivers involved in fatal and serious injury crashes tested positive for alcohol, with those collisions resulting in 38 deaths and 264 serious injuries.

The RSA said the campaign is aimed at bringing life-saving road safety messages directly to large summer audiences across the country. 

More than three in four injured cyclists are men

Pic by Yavuz Kosar via Pexels.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has published a new “Cyclist Spotlight Report: Fatalities and Serious Injuries” document examining cyclist casualties on Irish roads between 2021 and 2025, writes Brian Byrne. The report is based on data from the Irish Road Traffic Collision Database.

The document shows that over half (55%) of cyclists seriously injured were aged 26–55, and that men accounted for 78% of serious injuries. Most serious injuries (79%) occurred between 8 am and 8pm, with the peak period between 4pm and 8pm. High proportions were also recorded between Tuesday and Thursday and from May to September.

Dublin accounted for 52% of all serious cyclist injuries over the period. Nearly half (48%) of serious injuries happened at junctions, while 83% occurred on straight roads. In terms of collision type, 69% of seriously injured cyclists were involved in multiple-vehicle collisions, most commonly with a car or light goods vehicle. Single-vehicle collisions accounted for 20% of serious injuries, and hit-and-run incidents for 11%.

The report follows a separate RSA study using hospital data, which found that 3,305 cyclists were admitted to hospital between 2020 and 2024 after road traffic collisions — a figure significantly higher than serious injury numbers recorded by An Garda Síochána. The RSA says underreporting and differences in injury classification may explain the gap between hospital and Garda data. 

Driving for work is one of most serious occupational safety risks

Deirdre Sinnott McFeat, Senior Inspector, Health and Safety Authority.

Driving for work remains one of the most serious occupational safety risks in Ireland, writes Brian Byrne. New research highlighted by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has shown that work-related journeys account for a significant share of road deaths and serious injuries.

Presenting findings at a Driving for Work seminar focused on light commercial vehicles, the RSA revealed that between 2021 and 2025, 12% of drivers killed on Irish roads were driving for work. One in four drivers involved in fatal collisions, and 19% of those involved in serious injury collisions – a total of 1,502 drivers – were also on work-related trips.

The research highlighted worrying levels of speeding and mobile phone use among light goods vehicle drivers, particularly on urban roads, with many drivers reporting feeling pressured by work demands to take risks.

RSA Director Michael Rowland said organisations operating van fleets must put road safety at the heart of their operations, with clear policies, training, proper vehicle maintenance and a culture where safety comes before commercial pressures. Senior Inspector Deirdre Sinnott McFeat of the Health and Safety Authority added that employers have a “vital role” in preventing deaths and serious injuries by ensuring effective driving-for-work policies.

The Driving for Work programme is a joint initiative of the RSA, the Health and Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána to support employers in managing occupational road risk.

Bank Holiday appeal as road deaths increase

File photo: There were three injured in this crash.

A Bank Holiday appeal for motorists and other road users to be careful has been issued by the Road Safety Authority and the gardai, writes Brian Byrne.

This is against the background of a 17pc increase in fatal collisions up to 27 May this year compared to the same period last year. Sixty people have died in 56 fatal collisions so far in 2020.

The number of pedestrian deaths has doubled, to 18 so far this year.

Motorists are asked to be aware of the increased number of pedestrians and cyclists on the roads, and pedestrians are reminded that they should walk facing oncoming traffic when there is no footpath.

There has also been an increase in the number of motorists detected driving under the influence of intoxicants.

A special roads policing enforcement campaign will be conducted countrywide through the weekend.

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Driver Theory Tests postponed

The provider of the Driver Theory Test service, Prometric, is suspending the provision of the service in light of the Covid-19 restrictions.

Prometric has advised the RSA that, as a result of Covid-19, it is no longer in a position to provide a normal level of staffing that maintains the integrity of the service while adhering to HSE guidelines on Social Distancing.

The suspension takes effect as and from today Wednesday 25 March and will be subject to ongoing review.

Candidates who have a driver theory test scheduled up to 19 April, will be contacted to notify them that their test will be rescheduled free of charge when the service resumes. Updates around the re-starting of tests will be published on www.theorytest.ie.

Prometric has advised that it will continue to provide a service in emergency cases and arrangements for this will be published on their website www.theorytest.ie by Wednesday afternoon 25 March.

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Drug driving a major problem on our roads

Figures from the Road Safety Authority’s (RSA) Annual Academic Lecture, show that 68 per cent of drivers with a positive roadside drug test between April 2017 and July 2019, tested positive for cannabis, writes Trish Whelan. 

Cocaine follows closely behind as the main illicit drug detected after cannabis with 37 per cent of samples tested being positive for this substance. The Medical Bureau of Road Safety findings also show that cannabis is now not far behind alcohol in blood and urine samples it examined.

This annual lecture marks the start of ‘Irish Road Safety Week’, and focused on drug driving. It featured insights on the subject from international and national experts.

Minister Shane Ross TD

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Spot, Mr Shane Ross TD said: “Driving under the influence of drugs has been a statutory offence since 1961 but it wasn’t until 2017, with the introduction of Preliminary Drug Testing, that we had a drug testing device capable of testing for the presence of drugs in drivers at the roadside and in the Garda station.” He said it is clear that its introduction has resulted in an increase in drug driving detections, but the results show that a continued enforcement and education effort is needed to tackle this killer behaviour.

Moyagh Murdock, Chief Executive of the RSA, said: “The analysis of blood and urine samples sent to the MBRS by the Gardai, and the analysis of toxicology reports of driver and motorcyclist fatalities, are starting to give a clearer understanding of the prevalence of drug driving in Ireland. And it’s concerning because they confirm that drug driving is a major problem on our roads.” 

Moyagh Murdock, RSA

She said the RSA ‘will continue to educate drivers on the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs and will work closely with the Gardai to support their enforcement activity.” They will also, she added, do more to examine the factors around drug driving and examine international best practice to find interventions that can be applied here to tackle drug driving.

Professor Denis A Cusack, Director, Medical Bureau of Road Safety said younger men are the largest age group represented in positive samples. He said since the start of road side screening devices for drugs, the Gardai have been successful in detecting drivers under the influence of drugs in increasing numbers. However, he believed there is also a need to increase drug testing of drivers in Garda stations. 

For driver fatalities with a positive toxicology for at least one of the drug categories examined in the study, (90) 86 per cent were male, and just over half were aged 25-44 years.

Stop, Sip, Sleep advice for weekend driving

Applegreen and the Road Safety Authority have teamed up again to help drivers get through the bank holiday weekend safely, writes Brian Byrne.

Free cups of coffee will be provided today, Friday, and Monday next, to motorists who says 'RSA' or 'Driver Reviver' at the till point operator in the fuel company's stations.

Last year's similar August holiday promotion saw 10,000 cups of coffee given out.

It's part of the RSA's STOP, SIP, SLEEP advice to motorists driving distances over the weekend.

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'Face it Down' Awareness Week

The Face it Down mobile phone road safety campaign by Toyota and the Road Safety Authority has led to the creation of a new 'national week', the National Face It Down Awareness Week, writes Brian Byrne.

During this week, from 23-27 April, motorists using the Face it Down app will earn double points for every journey, which can be redeemed at Topaz service stations for coffee, and for insurance discounts from FBD Insurance.

The app was launched by Toyota last year, and some 12m kilometres have been travelled by motorists using it. It has been downloaded more than 42,000 times.

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'Bike Safe' appeal to motorcyclists

An appeal for 'biking safe' through the summer has been made to motorcyclists by the Road Safety Authority, writes Brian Byrne.

In conjunction with An Garda, the RSA is asking bikers to 'ease off the throttle' and keep within speed limits, and never to drink and drive.

Summer is high risk for motorcyclists, according to the Authority, especially at weekends.

Since 2010, 168 motorcyclists and been killed on Irish roads, and 629 seriously injured.

Call for road safety 'Leading Lights' nominations

Ireland’s Road Safety Authority is seeking nominations for its ‘Leading Lights in Road Safety 2017’ awards, now in its 10th year.

These awards recognise and honour the contribution made by people and organisations nationwide in reducing deaths and serious injuries on Irish roads.

In particular they have acknowledged remarkable contributions made by volunteers, teachers, students, businesses, journalists and community groups in making the roads safer for all.

Entries will be accepted in each of the following categories: Road Safety Officer of the Year; Education - Pre-primary, Primary, Secondary, Special, Third Level/Further and Community Education; Public Sector; Emergency Services; Local Media; National Media; Business; Future Award; Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) of the Year; CPC Trainer of the Year; and CPC Training Organisation of the Year.

The winners in each of these categories will go forward and be in with a chance of becoming the winner of the Supreme Award for 2017.

Nominations are now open and more information on how to enter your nomination in the ‘Leading Lights in Road Safety’ Awards are available on www.RSA.ie/LeadingLights.

Road deaths down, but cyclist fatalities rise

Overall road deaths are down, but the number of cyclists killed in traffic incidents so far this year has doubled to 10 compared to the same period in 2016, writes Brian Byrne.

The provisional figures for road fatalities for the first half of the year by RSA/Garda indicate a total of 77 deaths, among them 34 drivers of vehicles, 11 passengers and 16 pedestrians. Six motorcyclists have died.

The report projects that a further 78 people could die on Ireland's roads to the end of the year.

Of the 34 drivers killed, 29 were male and five were not wearing a seatbelt. Over half of fatalities happened from Saturday to Monday in 2017 and one third of fatalities occurred between 4pm-8pm.

Drink driving arrests up

Garda activity against drink-driving resulted in 18pc more arrests for the offence in April of this year compared to the same month last year, according to the Road Safety Authority.

The statement was made at yesterday’s RSA-sponsored Road Safety Conference in Dublin, the theme of which was drink-driving.

The Conference also heard that alcohol was present 30pc of the victims of road traffic fatalities in 2013 and 2014.

More than four in ten of those fatalities also had at least one other drug in their system as well as alcohol.

Meanwhile, a total of 63 people have died on the roads to date in 2016, this is a reduction of 13 up to the same period last year.

A third of dead drivers in 2014 'had consumed alcohol'

More than three in ten people killed in road traffic incidents in 2014 had consumed alcohol, writes Brian Byrne.

According to a new report issued by the Road Safety Authority today, a third of car drivers and motorcycle riders killed in crashes had alcohol in their system. And 96pc of them were male, with a median age of 38 years.

Four in ten motorcycle fatalities were alcohol-positive, while 28pc of pedestrians were.

The average alcohol level for deceased car drivers was 192mg, and for motorcyclists killed it was 104mg, against a national 50mg limit.

There were 193 road fatalities recorded by the RSA in 2014.

Meanwhile, the RSA also says there has been a 17pc increase in arrests for driving under the influence so far in 2017, compared to the same period last year.

Don’t get the ‘killer look’, ladies

Ladies, seatbelts don’t work if you wear them under your arm instead of over the shoulder, writes Trish Whelan.

Right, that sounds like common sense. Except that too many of our gender seem to toss that out the window of the car when they buckle up. For reasons as insane as not wanting to upset their tan or crease their clothing.

Truth is, you’re likely to suffer horrific injuries if you’re in a crash with your belt this way. Placing the shoulder strap of the seatbelt under their arm leaves your upper torso — including your neck, face and head - completely unrestrained during a collision.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has launched a new digital road safety campaign focusing on the misuse of seatbelts by women. The campaign is entitled ‘Don't get this season’s killer look’.

A study of 300 women aged 17 to 34, undertaken in 2016 on behalf of the RSA, found that some 28pc admitted to misusing a seatbelt by wearing it under the arm, rising to 35pc among younger women. The study also found that 53pc of those interviewed said that their friends wore the seatbelt in this way.

The main reasons cited for wearing the seatbelt under the arm were to relieve neck tension and for general comfort. However, 9pc said it was to protect their tan and 7pc said it was to protect clothing.

The belt should be worn diagonally across the wearer’s chest on their shoulder and never under the arm. If it feels uncomfortable, adjust the height of the belt on the anchor point on the door frame, or adjust the seat position and height. Most importantly of all, avoid getting ‘This season’s killer look’ because you didn’t wear your seatbelt properly.

The RSA sought the input of Gerry Lane, Consultant in Emergency Medicine at Letterkenny General Hospital in Donegal, in developing the campaign.

The campaign, will also be promoted on the RSA social media channels including Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat or Instagram with the campaign’s official hashtag #KillerLook.

While seatbelt compliance is consistently very strong among young females, it’s not universal. For instance, 23pc don’t always wear a seat belt as a rear passenger.

Injuries to body following improper seatbelt use:
Head: Collision with windscreen can result in severe facial scarring, and in some cases blindness. Brain injury, neck spinal injury.

Mouth: Impact with the steering column or dashboard of a vehicle can cause severe damage to teeth, leading to victims needing extensive dental repair. May knock teeth down throat, shatter jaw, block airway.

Neck:  Being thrown violently forward in a collision can cause serious injury to the neck and head, and may require surgical repair. May result in paralysis and/or partial or total paralysis.

Torso: Spinal damage caused by impact requires the wearing of a full-body cast (not always, only in "minor cases"), and may result in partial or total paralysis, life changing injuries. 

Abdomen: Internal lacerations caused by improper seatbelt use can require extensive surgical repair, and may involve the victim requiring a colostomy bag for life.

Arm: Extreme fractures may need to be surgically repaired with metal rods and pins. 
 

Leg: Extreme fractures may need to be surgically repaired with metal rods and pins.

Now, can we get back to common sense instead of vanity?

Be Safe, Be Seen, on shortest day of the year ... and every day

Tomorrow, 21 December, is the annual ‘National Be Safe Be Seen Day’ organised by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and ESB Networks. It’s the shortest and darkest day of the year.

With fewer hours of daylight and deteriorating weather conditions during the winter months, the Day aims to remind all road-users how important it is to be seen by wearing high visibility material when out walking, cycling or motorcycling, and to use dipped headlights when driving.

To date this year, 182 people have died on Irish roads, 32 more than this time last year. Vulnerable road users, such as cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians, accounted for over a third of these deaths, with 34 pedestrians, 10 cyclists and 20 motorcyclists having died on Irish roads so far this year.

Road Safety Awards presented

A Donegal-based road safety programme aimed at rehabilitating dangerous drivers has won the National Supreme Award at this year’s Road Safety Authority (RSA) ‘Leading Lights in Road Safety’ Awards.

Run by Gary Doggett and supported by Judge Paul Kelly and Garda Inspector Michael Harrison, the Pro-Social Drivers Programme is a driver rehabilitation programme which was established in 2012 to address the high instances of anti-social driving in Co Donegal.

The programme consists of four modules — Emotional Control, Social Responsibility, Driving Under the Influence and Consequences. Referrals to the programme come from the Courts Service, the probation service, solicitors, concerned parents and individuals who recognise the need for training in this area. To date, 18 programmes have been completed with a total of 180 participants.

A total of 37 individuals and organisations were honoured for their commitment and dedication to road safety at the ninth annual ‘Leading Lights in Road Safety’ Awards which were presented by RSA Chairperson Liz O’Donnell and RSA Chief Executive Moyagh Murdock in Farmleigh today.

Awards were presented in categories including media, education, business, emergency services and public sector.

Main Awards
Business – Sixt Rent a Car, Dublin; Education (Community) – Pro Social Drivers Programme, Co Donegal; Education (Pre-School) – Kilcloon Preschool, Co Meath; Education (Primary) – St Benin's Girls National School, Duleek; Education (Secondary) – Take Care Be Internationally Aware, Coláiste Treasa Secondary School, Cork;  Education (Third Level) – University of Limerick – Smarter Travel; Education (Special) – Sophie's Journey Foundation; Emergency Services –  Community Policing Unit, Roxboro Road Garda Station, Co Limerick; Local Media – Give Your Phone the Boot - South East Radio;  National Media – RTÉ Documentary on One, We Decide Who Lives or Dies; Road Safety Ambassador – Gillian & Ronan Treacy;  Road Safety Officer – Declan Keogh, Kildare County Council; Public Sector – Cork City Fire Department; CPC Training Organisation of the Year – Flexibus, Co Meath; CPC Trainer of the Year – Jerry Meredith, Ice Training Solutions, Dublin; Judges Award in Technology and Innovation in Road Safety – Andrew Irwin, Drive Safe App' Approved Driving Instructor (Car) – James Malone; Approved Driving Instructor (Bus) – Joseph Lally; and Approved Driving Instructor (Motorcycle) – Brian Mc Gonagle.

Special Recognition Awards
Forbes Vigors, Transport Infrastructure Ireland; Learn Early Montessori Academy and Crèche; James Jones; The DRIVE Programme, Southill Outreach; Dr Ashraf Butt, Cavan & Monaghan Hospital; Inspector Edmund Golden; Michael Reade Show, LMFM Radio; Shaun Doherty Show, Highland Radio; Clodagh White; Fiona Brennan; and Live to Play, Ulster GAA.

Crashed Lives Awards
Christy Kelly; Gary Finlay; Patrice O'Connell; Emmet & Ciarán O'Mahony; Sgt Dave Lynam; Laois Fire & Rescue; and Mary Joyce.

Get those tyres checked!

Tyres are the part of a car that puts motorists at most risk of a fatal collision, if they are not roadworthy, writes Brian Byrne.

That's the emphatic view of the Road Safety Authority which is urging motorists to have their tyres checked for free this week, as part of Irish Road Safety Week.

The checks will be carried free at tyre centres and garages affiliated to the Irish Tyre Industry Association, which is holding Tyre Safety Day tomorrow as its contribution to the week. The checks are available all this week.

Defective tyres were the most significant factor (64.1pc) of all vehicle factors identified in fatal collisions between 2008 and 2012, according to a report issued by the RSA earlier this year.

'Back to School' campaign launched by RSA

The Road Safety Authority and ESB Networks launched their ‘Back to School’ safety campaign this week, emphasising making sure children are visible, writes Brian Byrne.

The campaign is aimed both at parents and their children, with behaviour at bus stops and ensuring that children use seat-belts being a key part of a ‘check-list’ for children as they return to school.

RSA chief executive Moya Murdock said this campaign needs to be repeated every year because there are new cohorts of children entering the school system.

Driver fatigue kills

It is estimated that driver fatigue could play a role in up to one in five fatal road collisions in Ireland, writes Trish Whelan.

Prior to the August Bank Holiday weekend, Gardai and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) warned motorists that they should pull over and have a cup of coffee or a take a nap if they are feeling tired while driving. The RSA and Applegreen again teamed up to help drivers feeling tired over the Bank Holiday Weekend by providing them with free cups of coffee at Applegreen Service Stations around the country.

This is especially relevant as almost half of fatalities in 2016 happened on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays (47pc in 2016, and 48pc in 2015).

'Save Kids Lives' road safety week

Ireland is supporting the Third UN Global Road Safety Week which runs from 4-10 May, and is highlighting a campaign to stop children being victims of traffic incidents, writes Brian Byrne.

The campaign is using ... MORE