The Donegal Road Safety Working Group with the assistance of members of the Donegal Youth Service will be distributing High Viz vests as part of ‘National Be Safe Be Seen Day’ in Letterkenny on Thursday 21st December, the shortest and darkest day of the year. With fewer hours of daylight during the winter months, the aim of ‘the initiative is to remind all road-users how important it is to be seen by wearing high visibility material when out walking, cycling or motorcycling, or using dipped headlights when driving, in order to stay safe on the road.
To date this year (Wednesday 20 December), 153 people have died on Irish roads. Cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians have accounted for 40% of these deaths with 28 pedestrians, 15 cyclists and 19 motorcyclists tragically losing their lives, on Irish roads so far this year.
Brian O’Donnell Road Safety Officer said: “In recent years, we have seen a significant increase in the number of people walking, cycling and motorcycling, and it is encouraging to see so many of these road-users wearing high visibility material when out on the roads. However, to date this year, pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists have accounted for 62 road fatalities which highlights just how vulnerable these road-users are.
“With fewer hours of daylight, it is even more important for people to be visible when out on the roads. Wearing high visibility material such as a vest or jacket, is the simplest way to make sure you can be seen by other road-users when you are out walking, cycling or motorcycling. So we would encourage everyone to get their viz on to show their support for ‘National Be Safe Be Seen Day’. It could help to save a life.
“We are also urging motorists to use their Daytime Running Lights and drive with their dipped headlights, no matter what time of day it is. Using dipped headlights during the day makes it easier to see oncoming vehicles in the distance and we would also urge everyone to please slow down”.
The Donegal Road Safety Working Group would like to wish everyone a very safe and peaceful Christmas and New Year.
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