AGS - Roads policing enforcement Current challenges and concerns

Superintendent Thomas Murphy Garda National Roads Policing Bureau #Be a Lifesaver

Fatal Road Traffic Collisions 2019 YTD

2023 YTD

Change

% Change

Fatalities

117

165

+48

+41%

Fatal Collisions

107

154

+37

+44%

Road Fatalities Users

2023 YTD

Driver

58

Passenger

33

Pedestrians

39

Pedal Cyclist

6

Motorcyclist

24

Pillion Passenger

1

E-Scooter/E-bike Driver/Passenger

4

*Figures Correct as of 09/11/2023

Life Saver Offences*

*Figures Correct as of 02/11/2023

Jan-Oct 2019 Jan-Oct 2022 Jan-Oct 2023

• Intoxicated Driving (Driving Under the influence of Alcohol/Drugs) Driving While Intoxicated

• Safety Belts

• Mobile Phones • Speeding

Change 19/23(%)

-6%

-5%

6,705

6,802

Jan-Sep 2019

Jan-Sep 2022

Jan-Sep 2023 Change 22/23(%) Change 19/23(%)

9,533

4,875

Seatbelts

6,397

Change 22/23(%)

4,343

-11%

-54%

Jan-Sep 2019 Jan-Sep 2022 Jan-Sep 2023 Change 22/23(%) Change 19/23(%) Mobile Phones

23,726

14,699

14,698

0%

-38%

Jan-Sep 2019 Jan-Sep 2022 Jan-Sep 2023 Change 22/23(%) Change 19/23(%) Speed

107,690

127,117

119,744

-6%

11%

Intoxicated Driving

The incidents of Intoxicated Driving has decreased by 7% in the previous 12 months.

There were 688 Incidents of Driving While Intoxicated in October 2023 alone. (On average 170 Drivers arrested every week) 3,619 MIT Checkpoints (Mandatory Intoxicant Checkpoints) were conducted in October 2023.

Specified Drivers in your workforce? = LOWER THRESHOLD PLEASE CONSIDER THE “MORNING AFTER”

Safety Belts A Safety Belt is the most basic form of Road Safety Since 2019, on average over 650 people are detected without a safety belt each month Since 2019, where known, Over 1/6 drivers or passengers involved in Fatal Traffic Collisions had no safety belt at the time of the collision

Why do people fail to wear one?

Fine €120 & 3 Penalty Points (increased October 2022)

Speeding

A 1% reduction in average speed results in a 4% reduction in fatal collisions Since 2019, over 13,500 number drivers detected speeding on average EVERY month An increase in average speed is directly related to the likelihood of a crash occurring to the severity of the consequences of the crash.

Vulnerable road users - 1.5 metre minimum Introduction of Average Speed Detection (M7) Variable Speed (M50)

Speed Enforcement Intercept Speed – Garda Non-Intercept Speed – Safety Cameras (Go Safe) 1363 safety cameras zones nationwide More than 1.8 million non-intercept speeding tickets issued since introduction of safety cameras in 2010.

Key messages for employees

Mobile Phones • Using a mobile phone while driving make you 4 times more likely to crash • Driver distraction plays a role in 20%-30% of all road collisions • Since 2019, on average, almost 2000 drivers detected holding a mobile phone each month #It won’t kill you to put it away

Vulnerable Road Users

• 227 Fatal and Serious Injury Collisions involved at least one HGV* in the period from 01/01/2021 to 31/10/2023. (61 Fatal and 166 Serious Injury Collisions)

• 72 these collisions resulted in at least one fatality or serious injury to a vulnerable road user.

• 33 pedestrians were either killed or seriously injured.

• 24 pedal cyclists were either killed or seriously injured.

• 16 motorcyclists** were either killed or seriously injured. * HGVs are vehicles corresponding to the vehicle classes below Goods, Artic with Semi Trailer Artic, Tractor Only Goods, Not over 2 Tons Unladen Goods, Over 2 Tons Rigid Goods, Rigid + Trailer

** Motorcyclists here include Pillion Passengers

Rules of the Road "On left turns, watch out for cyclists and mopeds close to the kerb in front of you or coming up on your left. Do not overtake a cyclist as you approach a junction if you are turning left, as the cyclist might be continuing straight ahead."

"Never put a cyclist or motorcyclist at risk and know your duty to be aware of them. They are especially vulnerable if there is a crash. In particular, watch for cyclists and motorcyclists: at junctions; where cycle tracks merge with roads; when you change lanes; when opening your door to get out of a vehicle; when stopping and turning, especially when making a left turn; and when reversing."

"Overtaking - Never cut in front of cyclists or motorcyclists when overtaking them. Give them plenty of space, especially: in wet or windy weather; when road conditions are icy; when they are starting off. Cyclists tend to wobble until they build up their speed; and when the road surface is poor. Cyclists and motorcyclists may need to avoid potholes."

"Turning left - On left turns, watch out for cyclists and motorcycles close to the kerb in front of you or coming up on your left (especially if there is a cycle track on the left). Do not overtake a cyclist as you approach a junction if you are turning left. The cyclist might be continuing straight ahead."

Illegal Parking Safe parking is a key element of safe driving • Cannot park a vehicle anywhere that interferes with the normal flow of traffic or obstructs or endangers others • Be mindful of vulnerable road users • Do not park on footpaths, bus lanes, cycle lanes • #Stay Safe, Park Safe

Unsecure Loads • Load must be positioned to maintain adequate stability, steering and breaking.

• Use suitable restraint equipment to secure the load • Remember loads can move forwards, backwards or sideways and must be restrained in each of these directions • Check your load regularly during your journey to ensure that the load remains secure

Tyre Safety

• Tyres are safety critical component of any vehicle • Consumable designed to wear out

• Tyres effect steering control, braking distance and fuel efficiency • Tyre related offences -€80 fine, 2 Penalty Points

Conclusion

Questions?