Fianna Fáil Senator, Timmy Dooley has expressed the need for a collaborative effort to reverse the trend of road fatalities.
This comes after another tragic weekend on Irish roads where the lives of five people were claimed. Senator Dooley said changes to road safety rules and upgrading on skills of drivers should be prioritised as well as amendments made by government.
“It has been a tragic weekend again last weekend on Irish roads. Five families are grieving the loss of loved ones. My condolences go out to each and every one of the families. We need to do more to upskill our drivers and amend road safety regulations.”
“I am aware government are working hard on improving regulations, and I welcome the Taoiseach’s comments on how government will play its part furthermore. I am sure he will be of the similar opinion that it needs to happen at pace.”
Senator Dooley welcomes the recommendations from the Speed Limit Review 2023 that shows how many fatalities can be reduced by the reduction of the speed limits on our road, but stresses this can’t be done without public buy in.
“I welcome the recommendations from the Speed Limit Review 2023 that aims to reduce fatalities on our roads. The review recommended that the default speed limit on national secondary roads to reduce from 100km/h to 80km/h, that default speed limit for the network of local and rural roads reduce from 80km/h to 60km/h, and that the default speed limit on urban roads, including built up areas and estates and town centres to reduce to 30km/h.”
“These measures were considered by my party colleague Jack Chambers during his role as Minister of State. These measures will help save lives on our roads, alongside with the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 that was signed into law by the President in June.”
“113 people have lost their lives on our roads this year alone so far, time is of the essence. Although strides have been made to tackle road safety, more engagement and more change is needed. There is a need for public buy in as well as buy in at a government level. Too many lives are being lost, and we must reverse this trend as quickly as we can.”