Whether you're driving to see your mates or your Mam this bank holiday weekend, the Road Safety Authority wants to remind you to slow down and look out for pedestrians.
Going For A Stroll?
The grand aul stretch in the evenings is gone, and pedestrians are estimated to be two to four times more likely to be involved in a collision after dark than during daylight. Three in ten pedestrian fatalities happen between 4pm and 8pm, with another third between 8pm and 4am.
If you're out walking, make sure to cross the road safely. That means always looking carefully before crossing and checking for oncoming vehicles.
With the greatest share of pedestrian fatalities among those aged 75+, the darker evenings put our more vulnerable road users, like older pedestrians, at an increased risk.
17% of serious injuries to pedestrians happened while crossing the road and two-thirds of pedestrian deaths were male.
Here are some tips to keep you safe when crossing the road.
If a pedestrian crossing isn't available, here's how to stay safe:
1. Stop and wait near the edge of the footpath, or if there's no footpath available, the edge of the road.
2. Wait for traffic coming from both directions to pass.
3. Look right, then left, and right again before crossing.
4. Once the road is clear, you are safe to cross.
5. Walk briskly in a straight line across the road, not diagonally.
6. Keep watching and listening for traffic while you cross.
The darker evenings bring an increased risk, but you can help yourself stay safe by wearing reflective clothing. This way, you can make sure you can still be seen by the other road users.
Reflective clothing allows you to be seen at 150m. That means drivers have five times the distance to notice you and, most importantly, a greater chance to avoid you.
No footpath available? Remember to walk on the right-hand side of the road, facing oncoming traffic.
Going For A Drive?
We live in a busy world, and whether you're trying to rush home to catch the end of the match or you're late for dinner with the fam, rushing while driving isn't worth the risk. Cars represent 60% of pedestrian fatalities from collisions involving a vehicle.
When driving, remember to slow down in urban areas but especially when approaching pedestrian crossings.
The road is a shared space. Remember to use dipped headlights so other road users can see you coming.
When it comes to serious injuries from a collision, the RSA pedestrian spotlight report (2020-2024) found that 34% were aged 25 years or less and slightly over half were male.
Remember to slow down and look for pedestrians in busy areas as 20% of pedestrian fatalities and three in ten serious injuries occurred at junctions,
Almost nine in ten serious injuries to pedestrians occurred on urban roads, with four in ten occurring in Dublin.
Stay safe this bank holiday weekend. For more information on road safety, visit RSA.ie.
