Calls for faster traffic-calming measures at Louth schools
Sinn Féin’s Ruairí Ó Murchú was speaking during a debate on vehicle compliance and road safety
Road safety and the ‘slaughter’ on the roads need to be addressed by drivers, Gardaí and government funding to make roads safer, Dundalk TD Ruairí Ó Murchú has said.
The Sinn Féin deputy was speaking during a debate on vehicle compliance and road safety in the Dáil last week.
He said that anything that simplified administration that could lead to safer roads was to be welcomed
He said: “We have all seen the absolute slaughter on our roads in recent times. Unfortunately, we have had too many tragic circumstances that are in the public domain that we all unfortunately have to comment on.
“That does not compare to the families who have been impacted, beyond detrimentally, in many ways, never to be put completely back together again”.
He said there were particular issues in the Dundalk area, including the increase in traffic on the M1 and M50 with sometimes minor collisions impacting commuters for hours.
Deputy Ó Murchú said there continues to be issues with speeding, drink and drug driving, as well as drivers being distracted by mobile phones.
In addition, traffic calming measures at schools are being brought up at the doors in the Louth constituency.
He said: “We have not always seen a consistency in relation to traffic calming. I think of Shelagh in north Louth. I can also think of one that is, hopefully, happening this year at the Friary school, beside Pearse Park in Dundalk.
“We need to make sure more of these are happening in a quicker way and that we ensure absolute safety. It makes sense that we would streamline the process, that it would happen faster and that we would see a template of best practice operated everywhere it possibly can”.
E-scooters remain a problem, along with scramblers, he said.
Deputy Ó Murchú said: “We need to make sure that we have fit-for-purpose legislation and whatever requirements are needed. We know the issue that An Garda Síochána talks about in relation to training.
“I know it is not always suitable in relation to following and chasing in dangerous circumstances. We have also had the issue of those acting illegally and travelling the wrong way on motorways.
“A community worker has come to me and I would like to speak to the Minister of State about it afterwards. This would have happened in my own locality. Between robust policing combined with youth workers who would have engaged directly with young people brought some of this happening to a stop. It is something he believes can be delivered across the board”.