Clare Deputy Joe Cooney has called for the mandatory use of reflective road studs on regional and busy local roads, arguing that simple safety measures are being overlooked as road deaths continue to rise.
Raising the issue in the Dáil the Clare Fine Gael TD said most fatal collisions occur on unlit rural roads, noting RSA figures showing that half of all road deaths happen between 8 p.m. and 7 a.m., when visibility is poorest.
He said many regional and local roads have worn or unclear markings, no edge lines and very few cat’s eyes, even though the routes account for the majority of serious collisions. At present, cat’s eyes are compulsory only on national primary and secondary routes.
“Travelling on local roads in Clare and across the country is challenging at the best of times. In winter it becomes even more dangerous,” he said. “These basic safety features should not be optional. They save lives and should be in place everywhere they are needed.”
He urged the Department of Transport to update national guidance and ensure that local authorities have the funding and direction required to install reflective studs at bends, junctions, fog‑prone areas and other high‑risk locations.
Responding, Minister of State Jerry Buttimer said he agreed that cat’s eyes play an important role on unlit roads. He noted that local authorities have discretion to use part of their annual road allocation for such works and said the Department would continue to keep the matter under review.
Deputy Cooney said he would continue to press for stronger national requirements to ensure that rural communities are not left behind when it comes to road safety.
“Local authorities are doing their best with limited resources, but national guidance needs to catch up. Cat’s eyes are a simple tool that help drivers stay on the road in darkness and bad weather. There is no good reason they are not standard on regional routes,” he concluded.