It all started reasonably well; with the above. But when the Garda ran a poll asking people to vote against red light-breaking cyclists or motorists parking in cycle lanes, it got epic....
Garda cyclists Vs motorists Twitter poll row
The Garda's official Traffic Bureau Twitter account has come in for a pounding today. A poll was published on the account asking users to vote for one of two options.
The Garda wanted to know who posed a bigger danger; motorists parking in cycle lanes or cyclists breaking red lights.
It wasn't long before a lot of people weighed in, accusing the Garda of pitting cyclists against motorists.
Whoever was manning the Garda Twitter account stood their ground. They insisted they were simply trying to generate debate on road safety.
And in replies to some of the critics, the Garda said it knew that both options presented in the poll were unsafe.
Some of the critics included Minister of State Ciaran Cannon TD. And former minister Eamon Ryan, of the Green Party, also joined in to criticise the Garda.
They believed the poll was ill conceived and deliberately divisive. And they wondered why the Garda didn’t better enforce existing traffic laws instead.
The Garda Tweets
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) January 4, 2018
Which in your opinion is more dangerous?
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) January 4, 2018
The reaction
Appallingly ill-conceived and deliberately divisive tweet from our national Garda Traffic Unit. Both poll options are illegal, yet the person in charge of this Twitter account seems to think there is some warped merit in deciding which illegal action is more dangerous. https://t.co/GcQMMc5aa3
— Ciaran Cannon ?? (@ciarancannon) January 4, 2018
Yes, both are illegal, both are dangerous and raising awareness is important. But why ask the question is one more dangerous than the other? Is the safety of some road users less important than others because that’s what your tweet implies?
— Ciaran Cannon ?? (@ciarancannon) January 4, 2018
I think you should admit this poll was ill-conceived and sit down with cycling organisations to consider how our traffic laws could be better designed and enforced. @dublincycling @IBIKEDublin @IreCyclingFed @IrishCycle @CorkCyclingCrew @GalwayCycling #cycling #roadsafety #gardai
— Eamon Ryan (@EamonRyan) January 4, 2018
Deeply disappointing as this account yet again encourages the cyclists versus motorists, motorists versus cyclists unhelpful rhetoric. Very concerning.
— Neil Fox (@Foxiewood) January 4, 2018
To answer the question - to the cyclist, both are equally dangerous. What is wrong with you!!!!
— Joanna Donnelly (@JoannaDonnellyL) January 4, 2018
Related News
Please tell us that your account has been hacked...
If not, are you guys for real?
In the very time YOU should be helping with the them vs us divide..@ciarancannon @CiaranCuffe @IBIKEDublin @Cyclistie @dublincycling @IrishCycle @ReginaDo @IreCyclingFed @RSAIreland https://t.co/gy9zmWnqm9
— Stayin' Alive at 1.5 (@SafeCyclingEire) January 4, 2018
We're deeply disappointed with the timing of this tweet by @GardaTraffic, a day after we published our report on the 50% rise in cyclist fatalities in 2017. https://t.co/pbB2BdPdfd
— Dublin Cycling (@dublincycling) January 4, 2018
They say they want people talking about it. Massive fail as it's their attitude towards cyclists and enforcement is the talking point.
— Paddy McGarr (@elessar83) January 4, 2018
Both are illegal. Personally, I think cyclists could be allowed to move through red lights in certain conditions that would not compromise safety but as of now that is not allowed so there is no debate. If there was to be a debate am not sure gardai should oversee it on Twitter.
— Richie Oakley (@roakleyIRL) January 4, 2018
Absolutely. Incredibly irresponsible
— Keith Bines (@porridgetown) January 4, 2018
There is one one vs other. We all share the road, Dave. We are raising awareness that both actions causes a risk to all road users.
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) January 4, 2018
Absolute nonsense to put up a poll like this. Makes no sense other than raising the hatefulness of cyclists. Run a poll on what’s worse - drink driving or speeding for the craic sure?
— Paul O'Reilly (@SqueakOReilly) January 4, 2018
You do realise that 2017 saw a 50% increase in the deaths of vulnerable road users aka people who cycle. Your pointless poll (mostly answered by ppl who don't cycle) is only feeding into hatred of bikes vs cars, NOT addressing road safety. Well done you incompetent arseh*les
— Ness? (@IsMiseNessy) January 4, 2018
Ness, we do realise the increase. Our poll is trying to get people talking about road safety. We are raising awareness that both actions causes a risk to all road users. We encourage people to comment on this topic but perhaps in a less colourful way ?
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) January 4, 2018
The long term solution is for drivers to respect cycle lanes and park legally. Raising awareness will help all road users to respect others and be safer for all.
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) January 4, 2018
There is no sometimes for road safety. Pedestrians crossing the road must be considered. Both poll options are dangerous
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) January 4, 2018
No you're not, stop being so disingenuous. If you were, you would have tweeted "Why is breaking a red light by any road user or parking in a cycle lane dangerous?" Instead you have have tried to pit cyclists and drivers against one another with your 'poll'.
— Anna (@AnnaDrJox) January 4, 2018
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