Welcome to the Road Safety section of Louth County Council’s website. In this section there is information on road safety issues as well as useful links to other websites containing information on road safety.
Road Safety Child Seat ‘Check if it fits’ Roadshow.
3 out of 4 child car seats are not fitted correctly which can cause death or serious injury.ar seat checked FREE
Road Safety-Child Seat-Check if it fits Roadshow.pdf (size 328.8 KB)
Road Safety Officer
The main role of the Road Safety Officer is to raise awareness and educate the public on road safety matters. Angela Muckian is part-time Road Safety Officer with Louth County Council and you may contact her by email on angela.muckian@louthcoco.ie or by telephone on 042 - 9324262.
Rules of the Road
Rules of the Road, including foreign language translations, are available to download from the website www.rulesoftheroad.ie as is an interactive English version, edited to Plain English standards by NALA. E-booklets and an audio version on CD-ROM to meet the needs of those with reading difficulties are available by contacting the Road Safety Authority at LoCall 1890 50 60 80 or by email at info@rsa.ie.
Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians all have a part to play in making our roads safer. We can all help to make Louth’s road safer by treating each other courteously, obeying the rules of the road and by remaining alert at all times while using the road.
Collision Statistics
For detailed statistical information (road deaths and injuries, road safety performance, safety by county etc.) click on: http://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Road-Safety/Our-Research/Deaths-injuries-on-Irish-roads/
Contributory Factors in Fatal Collisions*
Driver error accounted for 92% of all contributory factors identified in fatal collisions, while the next most listed factor, pedestrian error, accounted for 5%. Road conditions accounted for 3% of all listed contributory factors. Stay Alert, Stay Alive!
*Road Collision Factbook 2009 (RSA)
The main behaviour causing death and injury include:
- excessive and inappropriate speed,
- driving while intoxicated, whether through drugs or alcohol,
- failure to wear seatbelts and failure of adults to properly restrain children,
- failure to recognise vulnerable road users.
- Driving while tired may also be a contributing factor.
Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are vulnerable road users and many fail to recognise their vulnerability. Be safe, Be seen!
Snow and Ice - Safety Tips for Road Users
Motorists
1. Get a grip. Remember your only contact with the road surface is your tyres so it’s vital that they are up to the task in icy and snowy conditions. Check tyres, including spare wheel, to ensure minimum tread depth of 1.6mm and that they are inflated to the correct tyre pressure. Lack of grip can occur even on treated roads so drive slowly in the highest gear possible, manoeuvre gently and avoid harsh braking. Replace tyres if necessary.
2. Make sure you can see. Clear your windows and mirrors before you set out, carry a screen scraper and de-icer. Do not use hot water on the windscreen as it can crack the glass. Replace windshield wiper blades if necessary. De-mist the inside of your windows thoroughly. Make sure your windshield washer system works and is full of an anti-icing fluid. Remember too that heavy snowfall will reduce visibility! Watch out for grit/salt spreaders and snow ploughs. Allow extra distance when passing cyclists and motorcyclists as they may have to take evasive action. The glare from the sun can be dazzling in the winter when the sun is low in the sky, so wear sunglasses in these conditions.
3. Check & use your lights. Use your dipped headlights so that others will see you. Make sure your headlights and taillights are all in working order, replace broken bulbs. Make sure lights are clear of snow.
4. Gently does it.Manoeuvre gently, slow down and leave extra distance between you and the vehicle in front. Too much steering is badand avoid harsh braking and acceleration. Use the highest gear possible to avoid wheel spin. Select a low gear when travelling downhill especially if through bends. Falling snow, fog, rain, or hail will reduces visibility. Do not hang on to the tail lights of the vehicle in front of you as it can give a false sense of security. When you slow down, use your brakes so that the brake lights warn drivers behind you.
5. Watch out for "black ice." If the road looks polished or glossy it could be, "black ice” one of winter's worst hazards: Black Ice is difficult to see! It is nearly transparent ice that often looks like a harmless puddle or is overlooked entirely. Watch out for black ice, especially in sheltered / shaded areas on roads, under trees and adjacent to high walls.
6. Give yourself a brake. If you get into a skid, you need to know if your vehicle has ABS (Anti- Lock Braking Systems). After you "Step" on the brake the ABS begins cycling — you will feel pulses in the pedal or hear the system working. It's easy to properly use antilock brakes: Remember - Step, Stay and Steer. Step on the pedal. Stay on the pedal. Steer around the obstacle. (A warning: A little bit of steering goes a very long way in an emergency).
For vehicles without ABS, you'll have to rely on the old-fashioned ‘Cadence Braking’ system: Push the brake pedal until the wheels stop rolling, then immediately release the brake enough to allow the wheels to begin turning again. Repeat this sequence rapidly. Your goal is to have the tyres producing maximum grip regardless of whether the surface is snow or ice.
7. How does your vehicle help? Check in your owner’s manual and find out if your vehicle has any safety assist technology like Electronic Stability Control (ESC) or Anti Lock Braking System (ABS) and know how they assist your driving in severe weather conditions. But remember technology offers no miracles. Don't let these lull you into overestimating the available traction.
8. Be Prepared! In prolonged icy or snowy driving conditions it is advisable to carry the following in the boot of the car
a. High Visibility Vest
b. Tow rope
c. Spare bulbs
d. Spare fuel
e. A shovel
f. Appropriate footwear in case you have to leave your vehicle ie boots
g. A hazard warning triangle
h. Spare wheel (with tyre at correct pressure and tread)
i. De-icing equipment (Both for glass and door locks)
j. First aid kit (in good order)
k. A fire extinguisher (fully operative)
l. A working torch
m. A car blanket, additional clothing & some food and water
In preparation for driving you should also ensure:
n. The vehicle is properly maintained, serviced and engine oil viscosity is suitable for cold conditions.
o. Have the strength of coolant/antifreeze measured.
p. Ensure vehicle has adequate supply of fuel for journey.
q. Consider carrying some salt or sand. And
r. Give someone an estimated time of arrival at your proposed destination. Carry a mobile phone and spare, fully charged, battery (if you don’t have a car charger)
9. Get informed. Listen to local weather and traffic reports. The RSA has prepared a helpful guide ‘Severe Weather Advice for Road Users’ which you can download from the RSA’s website. It has lots more useful advice on dealing with the difficult road conditions. http://www.rsa.ie/Home/upload/File/Homepage/Severe_Weather_advice_road_users_ET.pdf
You can also:
10. Stay at home. The best thing to do in extremely bad weather is to stay off the road. Take heed of warnings not to go out. This leaves the emergency services free to deal with real emergencies instead of rounding up stranded motorists.
Pedestrians & Cyclists
Ø While walking on footpaths and in public places, or entering and exiting your car or truck, DO NOT underestimate the dangers of snow and ice.
Ø Each winter slips and fall accidents cause serious injuries. Even when surfaces do not look especially icy or slippery, it is very possible that a thin sheet of transparent ice or “Black Ice” is covering your pathway putting you at risk. When you approach a footpath or roadway that appears to be covered with ice or snow, always use extreme caution.
Ø Many slips and falls happen in places people regard as safe and secure, typically outside their front door, on the door step, on the path or while getting out of the car.
Ø If you are out walking in snow or icy conditions wear appropriate footwear, don’t walk with your hands in your pockets, walk with your hands out and wear gloves so you can break your fall if you do slip.
Ø Visibility is reduced in snowy conditions so wear high visibility clothing or carry a torch and if you cycle make sure your bike is fitted with lights front and rear.
Road Safety Educational Resources
There is now a full set of resources approved at a national level for delivery in preschool, primary and post-primary schools as well as approved programmes for use in third level, workplace and in community settings. An outline of these resources is given below, however, further information can be obtained from the following website: http://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Road-Safety/Education/Teaching-resources/
PRESCHOOL
Simon and Friends features four storybooks which centre on four characters who promote age appropriate road safety messages to children aged 5 and under:
1) Holding Hands, 2) Stopping, 3) Look & Listen, 4) Setting/Following a Good Example.
Stories are recorded onto a CD Rom which also contains road safety songs and games. The pack also contains an accompanying teacher’s guide called ‘Hand in Hand’ and Road Safety Authority [RSA] personnel have trained representatives from County/City Childcare Committees (CCC’s) on how to roll this out locally.
Child Safety in Cars is a DVD advising parents on selecting and fitting child restraints.
PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Be Safe is an activity based resource pack on road safety, fire safety and water safety for primary schools. It contains materials aimed at children from infants to sixth class as part of the SPHE (Social, Personal and Health Education) curriculum.
Seatbelt Sheriff is aimed at children in 1st class. Children take a pledge to always wear their safety belt and to make sure that everyone else is buckled up. A Louth County Council staff member delivers Seatbelt Sheriff demonstrations to primary schools throughout the county, however, it’s not possible to visit all primary schools every year.
Hi-Glo Silver was introduced for children in 2nd class to help ‘Seatbelt Sheriff’ with his duties. His message is one of visibility.
As part of this programme, children, through their schools, can enter annual RSA Seat Belt Sheriff and Hi-GloSilvercompetitions with the chance of winning €2,000 for the school and there are also four regional prizes of €500 to spend on a day out for all the class! Closing date is normally late November/early December.
For full details on Seatbelt Sheriff, Hi-Glo Silver and class kits see http://www.seatbeltsheriff.ie
StreetSmart involves a Streetsmart Streetscape which invites children to carry out typical everyday cycling or pedestrian tasks. The Streetscape is in the form of a giant mat with a number of props provided to simulate a real street and which is assembled in the school hall. For full details and to arrange for the programme to be brought to your school, you can email StreetSmart@rsa.ie and/or see the Road Safety Authority [RSA] website www.rsa.ie .
Primary and Post Primary Schools
Let’s Go is a Road Safety Authority [RSA] resource giving guidelines for teachers when organising or travelling to and from school events.
Streetwise - activity based interactive resource, designed in lesson plan so teacher can pick up the resource and commence programme immediately. The programme can be run over 12 weeks. This resource is available from the Dept. of Education.
POST-PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Your Road to Safety - available in 20 hour and 45 hour formats, and it builds on TY programme. It covers road safety for pedestrians, cyclists, motor cyclists and motorists and features input from Garda, Ambulance and Fire Services and visiting speakers.
Doughnuts - theatre production and post-show workshop (4th – 6th year students). For further information or booking www.teamtheatre.ie
THIRD LEVEL
Safe Grads - includes interactive shuttle, fire and ambulance rescue extrication, Garda road show “It won’t happen to me,” road safety campaigns, road safety table quiz, road safety photography competition, road safety music challenge etc.
Wrecked.ie - aimed at 17 – 24 year age group, real life stories (19 no.) tell of true consequences and provokes discussion. The RSA can train anyone working with this age group on how to use the programme.
COMMUNITY
Protect Our Community - based on Rules of the Road (speed, seat belts/child restraints, impairment {alcohol, drugs, mobile phones}, unsafe behaviour towards or by vulnerable road users, e.g. pedestrians, cyclists, motor cyclists, young and older people). This programme incorporates real life testimonies from garda, ambulance, fire officer, A & E medic, survivor. Each topic is covered in 30 minute session – interactive. RSA can run training course for interested parties.
Mobility Matters - road safety awareness programme for seniors.
Play It Safe - aimed at sporting organisations.
For more information on community-based programmes or to request materials, contact: Research & Education Unit, Road Safety Authority, Moy Valley Business Park, Primrose Hill, Ballina, Co.Mayo. Tel. 096 25002/25050 Email: education@rsa.ie .
Road Safety Outside Schools
Parking Outside Schools
There is traffic congestion outside most schools at opening and closing times. We all can contribute to a safer environment outside schools by reducing speed on the approach, parking safely and showing consideration to other road users. Believe it or not, following these guidelines will not delay you unduly but will give you that feelgoodfeeling, knowing that you played your part in improving road safety at the school and, at the same time, set a good example for the children - remember,they’re great imitators and will follow your example! Hereunder are some dos and don’ts….
Do leave home early enough - you know how long it takes.
Do obey parking signs and road markings.
Do drop children on the school side of the road, where possible, and ensure they exit the car on the kerb side.
Do allow cars that have parked back into the line of traffic.
Do use pedestrian or school warden crossings, where provided.
Do treat other road users as you would wish to be treated!
Don’t perform U turns outside school.
Don’t call children across the road.
Don’t park where parking is forbidden by traffic signs or road markings.
Don’t park in a manner that will create a hazard for other road users, e.g. blocking visibility of school warden, pedestrians or other motorists, blocking entrances/exits.
Don’t double park or park opposite another vehicle on a narrow road.
School Traffic Wardens
School traffic wardens are appointed under Road Traffic Act, 1961 (Section 96). They normally work in the mornings, at lunch time and in the evenings - around school opening and closing times. Apart from An Garda Síochána, school traffic wardens are the only officials in Ireland who have the authority to stop traffic on public roads.
The role of the school warden is to safely bring children across the road on their way to or from school. There are approx. 34 school wardens currently employed in County Louth, 5 in the County Council area, and 15 and 14 respectively in the towns of Drogheda and Dundalk. If you accompany your child to/from school, please set a good example for the children by using the school warden crossing and following the school warden’s instructions. Encourage your child to do likewise when s/he is by her/himself, thus contributing to a safer, happier environment at the school.
JuniorSchoolWarden Scheme
Junior School Wardens [JSW] are pupils whose task is to bring their peers safely across the road. The Scheme is designed to provide a safe crossing at primary schools in towns and villages where a 50kph speed limit applies. The scheme has been operating in Ireland since 1969 but has become less popular in recent years as the roads have become busier and more dangerous. Organising and running a JSW Scheme involves commitment and co-operation from the school principal, An Garda Síochána (training the JSWs), the County Council (scheme sponsors), and, of course, the pupils!
Currently (2011) there are two schools in Louth participating in the scheme, Tallanstown National School and the C.B.S. Primary School in Dundalk, involving approx. 60 children.
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