All Ireland anti-speeding campaign launched

A new All Ireland anti-speeding campaign was launched in Dublin today.

The launch at the City’s Savoy Cinema coincides with the first UN Global Road Safety week.

The campaign was launched jointly by Republic of Ireland Transport Minister Martin Cullen TD and DOE Permanent Secretary, Stephen Peover who said: “Drivers give countless reasons for driving too fast but nothing can justify the consequences. What can justify the loss of 48 lives and 266 serious injuries on Northern Ireland’s roads last year as a result of excessive speed?

“There are always excuses – “it was unexpected” - “there was nothing I could have done” - “I couldn’t have anticipated it” - but the truth is that all too often people simply choose to drive too fast. And the faster they drive, the more likely they are to be in a collision, and the more severe that collision is going to be.

“Who would want to admit to a bereaved family that they were late for a meeting or were just enjoying a drive and thought they could handle the speed. Our message today is simple - combine speed with human error or the unexpected and the consequences could be tragic. We all make mistakes. When it’s your turn, what speed will you be doing?

Mr Peover concluded: “Remember, the faster the speed, the bigger the mess.”

Mr Gay Byrne, Chairman, Road Safety Authority said “We have a blind spot when it comes to speeding in this country. We drive too fast. We just simply don’t get the fact that the faster you go the greater the impact. And the greater the chances of inflicting serious or fatal injury on ourselves or others. This new ad is trying to correct a national misunderstanding. Trying to deliver a strong dose of reality. It puts the laws of physics into plain English.”

Police Service of Northern Ireland Assistant Chief Constable Roy Toner said: “We are committed to making our roads safer. We are tackling the issue of speed through education and enforcement. In the first three years of the Safety Camera Scheme there has been a 41% reduction in the number of fatal or serious injury collisions on those roads that have mobile or fixed safety cameras. We will continue to focus on excessive and inappropriate speed through robust enforcement. We must influence driver behavior and encourage them to slow down. Research shows that a reduction in speed leads to a reduction in collisions. If drivers continue to ignore our advice, they must be prepared to face the reality of a £60 fine and three penalty points when we detect them speeding."

Assistant Commissioner Eddie Rock, An Garda Síochána said, “We cannot change our past, but we can change our attitudes. We have that choice and if we embrace it, we will save lives”.

(JM/SP)