Labour’s Ahern calls for better enforcement of road speed limits

Gary Ibbotson 28 May 2021

Labour representative Ciarán Ahern has expressed “his sincere condolences” to the family of Rathfarnham native Tonya McEvoy, who was hit by a car and died while cycling with her club Orwell Wheelers in 2017.

The driver of the car was acquitted of dangerous driving causing death by a jury in the Circuit Criminal Court on May 27 2021.

Ahern says that there needs to be a “serious conversation” about road safety and speed limits in the country – particularly on more rural roads.

“There is almost zero enforcement of our current speed limits as it is.

“I simply cannot understand why we don’t have speed cameras on every single road making a fortune for our county councils to invest in sustainable transport.

“The government must ensure our current speed limits are enforced and also consider reducing speed limits on many roads for vital safety and environmental reasons.”

Ahern says that with the re-opening of the country, the “Road Safety Authority and the Gardaí urgently need to launch a large-scale road safety awareness and enforcement campaign.

“Many drivers are used to driving on relatively deserted roads and many others won’t have driven any considerable distance in many months – their road-readiness and concentration levels will naturally not be at their best.

“We are encouraging people to enjoy all Ireland has to offer this summer and ideally many will see this as an opportunity to explore our country by bike and other sustainable modes of transport.

“We must protect and encourage vulnerable road users and remind drivers of the massive responsibilities that come with driving.”

Ahern says that the backlog in driving tests for learners is also problematic, calling for an overhaul of the system.

“Tallaght has the longest waiting lists in the country with 10,449 people currently awaiting a test – this is 10% of the national total.

“Our driving test system clearly needs a full overhaul and no one should be driving before they have acquired a licence.

“However, with such long waiting lists and very little enforcement it’s clear that some people are driving without licences and the Government must ensure this situation is rectified.”

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