Cyclists have held a protest outside Leinster House calling on the Government to make roads safer and build more cycle paths. pic.twitter.com/2JshMgHgfB
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) November 21, 2017
The Department of Justice is concerned the proposal for a close-pass cycling law is unenforceable. This is despite countless close-pass enforcement operations all over the UK. But now that the largest Opposition party has joined the push it may help.
Fianna Fail joins push for cyclist close-pass law after die-in
Irelands largest opposition party Fianna Fail has joined the push for new close-pass legislation to help protect cyclists.
The party’s transport spokesman Robert Troy TD said he would seek to amend the Road Traffic Bill.
He added he was acting after being moved by the Stop Killing Cyclists protest and vigil on Tuesday evening outside Leinster House.
Cyclists gathered to protest for better infrastructure and other measures. They also gathered to remember all those killed on the roads of the Republic.
That included the 13 people killed cycling since the start of this year. And another man was fatally injured, in Co Kerry, just after the protest.
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Back in February Minister of State Ciaran Cannon TD and Government chief whip Regina Doherty published a close-pass Bill.
It would see motorists forced to obey a minimum passing distance of 1.5 metres – and one metre in zones with speed limits of under 50 km per hour- when overtaking cyclists.
Drivers who do not comply with the new rules would face an €80 fine and three penalty points, as proposed in the Bill.
The penalty would increase to €1,500 and five penalty points for cases that go to court.
It was hoped that the Bill will be passed before the Dáil rises for its summer break. However, progress has been slow. And officials in the Department of Justice are now concerned the proposal is unenforceable.
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This is despite countless close-pass enforcement operations having taken place all over the UK.
And while Robert Troy of Fianna Fail may not succeed in having the traffic laws changed. His public commitment to the proposal adds his party’s political weight to it.
“Cyclists face a number of dangers on our roads as they have to contend with cars, buses and trams,” he said.
“They are vulnerable road users and a small collision with a moving vehicle can have fatal consequences.
“Fourteen cyclists have already lost their lives on Irish roads so far this year. This is four more cyclists than who were killed in all of 2016.
“This trend is alarming when you consider road safety figures have been improved for other road users.
“It shows that the Government needs to recommit its efforts towards promoting road safety measures for cyclists.
“Yesterday evening I met with representatives of The Stop Killing Cyclists vigil which was held outside Leinster House.
“These cyclists detailed the challenges they face on a daily basis as they try and navigate busy roads.
“Many of them have been lucky to avoid serious injury in recent years. Their accounts clearly demonstrate that additional measures are needed to promote road safety for cyclists.
“The Government needs to support the rollout of infrastructure such as segregated cycle lanes and ensure that there is greater enforcement of the legislation governing the use of cycle lanes.
“However we also need to make motorists aware of their presence on the road and ensure that they act responsibly when sharing the road with cyclists.
“Everyone needs to acknowledge that there are multiple users of the road, and we need to organisations such as the RSA continue with their work on promoting road safety for all road users.
“In specific we need to see an increase in the minimum required distance between a motorist and cyclist when overtaking.
“Accordingly I will shortly bring forward an amendment to the Road Traffic Bill to bring about such a change”
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