Road safety campaigners are calling for reduced speed limits to avoid accidents during the coronavirus crisis.
It comes following a number of tragic deaths in road accidents in recent weeks.
Professor John Crown, consultant oncologist at St Vincent’s Hospital and former Senator, called for lowered speed limits nationwide during this public health emergency.
He said: "We are all concerned by reports countrywide of people driving faster. Though our roads are emptier, six people died in road traffic collisions last week and road deaths are up by a quarter for 2020."
Cycling safety campaigners have echoed this appeal, saying it will reduce the number of accidents on the road.
Dr. Damien Ó Tuama, National Cycling Coordinator with Cyclist.ie, the Irish Cycling Advocacy Network that represents over twenty local campaign groups, greenway groups, and bike festivals, says:
“We need more than a message that ‘motorists must slow down’. Lowering and enforcing speed limits will reduce the frequency and severity of road traffic collisions.
"Lower speed limits could be achieved immediately via ministerial order under Section 4 of the Road Traffic Act 2004 [8], but this will need buy-in from all.
"We call on Minister Shane Ross, An Garda Síochana, and the Road Safety Authority to act now.”
Phil Skelton, founder and chief campaigner of Stayin’ Alive at 1.5, the successful campaign for the introduction of a cyclist specific dangerous overtaking law for Ireland, says:
“We can reduce collisions in our cities, towns and villages with a 30 km/h speed limit.
"Every day we witness more people stepping off narrow footpaths - where they exist - to maintain the 2 metre physical distancing.
"With the new restrictions announced last night, people are now limited to exercising locally with 2 km of their homes.
"Essential workers will continue to commute by bicycle and by foot. We need drivers to slow down, give space to people cycling and walking, and save lives. ”
