MOTOR accidents on rural roads are being caused by overgrown hedges and trees, according to a major transport organisation.
It is claimed that vehicles are losing mirrors, highlighting an urgent need for action to cut back branches and hedgerows that are dangerously intruding on the roads.
The legal hedge-cutting season began a fortnight ago on September 1 – and runs to the end of February – but it is legal to cut back hedgerows and trees where they pose a road safety danger.
Donegal’s road network is linked with many narrow country routes that are flanked by long stretches of hedgerows and the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has warned that as the hedges grow, they reduce the driving space for vehicles to pass safely.
The hauliers have called on the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to lead a nationwide campaign that engages with landowners and local authorities.
IRHA president Ger Hyland said: “Dangerous overgrown hedgerows and roadside trees are blocking sightlines, pushing vehicles over the white line and are a road-safety hazard on our rural roads.
“The RSA must take ownership of the issue as part of its road-safety remit.
“The RSA should proactively lead a campaign to encourage local authorities and landowners to ensure roads are cleared of dangerous overhanging branches, and vegetation.
“It is a critical road safety issue on our rural roads.”
He added: “High-sided commercial vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians are all pushing out towards the white line to avoid branches and hedges growing onto the roads.
“Some 131 people have lost their lives on Irish roads, as of September 11 past – that is 15 more fatalities than on the same date in 2025.
“That figure includes 10 cyclists, 23 pedestrians, and 19 motorcyclists.”
He added: “Ultimately, landowners are legally responsible for ensuring vegetation on their property does not create a road safety hazard.
“Local authorities should have the ability to carry out necessary hedge cutting works and recover costs from landowners who refuse to keep their properties in good order.
“The average haulier is losing between one and two mirrors a week across their fleet because of overhanging trees.
“HGV mirrors can cost €500 to replace which is an unacceptable cost burden on the average haulier.
“Back roads have hedgerows and tree branches that are completely overgrown and are often impassable.
“While we always welcome road improvements, we would ask that any diversions are risk assessed in advance to ensure our vehicles can safely pass through the diversion.”