Gardai are warning that the majority of cyclists on Irish roads are not wearing any hi-vis clothing. And they have urged them to starting using hi-vis as the dark early evenings are upon us.
Garda highlights cyclists with no hi-vis clothing
The Garda has said most cyclists do not wear hi-vis clothing and has urged them to do so as the period winter early darkness approaches.
It has issued an appeal ahead of the October Bank Holiday weekend for vulnerable road users to wear hi-vis.
The force said while motorcyclists and cyclists were observed for a Road Safety Authority study cyclists were found to be least likely to be wearing hi-vis.
Some 5,431 motorcyclists and 23,343 cyclists were observed.
Of those, 45 per cent of the motorcyclists were wearing hi-vis. But that figure was 34 per cent for cyclists and as low as 21 per cent for those using public bikes for sharing schemes.
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Both the Garda and RSA have urged cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians to use hi-vis items as the clocks are about to go back.
They also want pedestrians to carry a torch and for cyclists and motorcyclists to be sure they have working lights on their bikes.
The RSA pointed out that over the October long weekend during the last six years 10 people have been killed and 40 seriously injured.
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“The evenings are getting darker and particularly so as the clocks going back this weekend,” said Minister for Transport Shane Ross RD (Ind).
“So it is vital that pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists are clearly visible to drivers, especially on dark unlit rural roads.
“That’s why I would urge people to wear high visibility clothing or carry a torch when out on the road.”
RSA chief executive Moyagh Murdock echoed those views.
“Pedestrians and cyclists can be difficult to see in the road traffic, especially at night and in dark weather conditions,” she said.
“Without wearing something reflective a pedestrian or cyclist is only likely to be visible 30 metres away, in low beam headlights.
“By wearing something reflective they become visible at 150 metres away. This gives drivers five times the distance to notice them and, more importantly, to avoid them.
“There really is no excuse for anyone to be out on the road without a high visibility jacket, especially when you can order one free of charge from the RSA website.”
Assistant Commissioner Michael Finn said while there was no legal obligation to wear high visibility clothing, it “makes absolute sense”.
“Wearing the high visibility clothing gives drivers the opportunity to see pedestrians and other vulnerable road user significantly earlier which is especially important on dark and on poorly lit roads,” he said.
“Bicycle lights, high visibility clothing and replacement bulbs cost a fraction of the fixed charge penalty that can be imposed.
“Please make sure all obligatory lights are working on you bicycle or any other vehicle that you are using. We cannot emphasis enough the importance of being able to see and as important to be seen.”
To date this year 124 people have been killed on the Republic’s roads, a decrease of 36 when compared to the same period last year.
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