Gardai urge Kilkenny drivers to put safety first as country reopens

Kilkenny road users are being asked to ‘get their mind in gear’ and put road safety first now that travel restrictions have been lifted.

An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority have launched ‘The Road Back’ road safety campaign calling on road users to be extra cautious and alert to others on the road.

The appeal comes as traffic volumes across Kilkenny and nationally increase following the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions allowing inter-county travel to resume.

With people being encouraged to have an ‘outdoors summer’, the RSA and An Garda Síochána are calling on road users to pay attention and make the road a safer place for everyone.

Chief Superintendent Ray McMahon said: “We appreciate that the vast majority of road users act responsibly when driving but even a slight lapse in concentration can have very serious results.

“You never know when a pedestrian might step off the pavement or a cyclist might need to avoid an obstacle. It’s about expecting the unexpected and reading the road ahead.

“We are reminding drivers to remember the simple things – keep within speed limits, make sure to put on your seatbelt before setting off. Put your phones away and stay focused on the road ahead remaining vigilant of vulnerable road users.”

Pedestrians are being reminded to wear appropriate high visibility clothing and always walk on the footpath, or if there isn’t one, on the right-hand side of the road facing oncoming traffic.

Car owners are being reminded to make sure their vehicle, which may not have been driven for some time, is roadworthy by undertaking some basic maintenance checks in advance of setting off.

To date in 2021, a total of 45 people have died on Irish roads, eight less than the same period in 2020.