Think safety as care on Mayo roads deteriorates - appeal

MOTORISTS are being urged to think safety first when out on the roads. It comes as a number of councillors in Mayo have highlighted increased careless driving.

And pedestrians have also been urged to keep safety in mind, especially at crossings - full pedestrian crossings and courtesy crossings.

Speaking at a Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District meeting, Councillor Patsy O'Brien said over recent months he has noticed due care and attention on the roads has deteriorated.

One incident he cited seeing was someone coming through a roundabout without ever looking, just going straight through.

And other people have said it him, that driving culture is changing for the worst.

Speaking specifically about schools, he asked people to look out for the safety of all involved.

His colleague Councillor Michael Burke highlighted how people walk out in front of cars at pedestrian crossings. His understanding of the law is that you stand until the car stops.

He agreed that careless driving is getting worse, and also speed, and he wasn't surprised to see so many people pulled over for speeding over the bank holiday weekend.

All roads users - walking, cycling and driving - need to be more cautious, he urged.

The level of aggression by drivers going through towns especially was commented on by Councillor Neil Cruise.

If a go pro camera was put on some of the pedestrian crossings, they would reveal a lot, he said.

Ongoing issues with a crossing in Ballyhaunis were aired by Councillor Alma Gallagher, who highlighted design flaws – it leads into a shop, it's not visual, there's yellow boxes where people park, blocking the view.

And some people don't know the difference between a pedestrian crossing and a courtesy crossing, and they feel they are entitled to walk across, not looking where they are going.

Perhaps some signage on the ground saying stop, look and listen would help, she suggested. People have to be mindful of letting traffic take precedence at courtesy crossings.

A suggestion was made by Councillor Damien Ryan that a pedestrian and road safety awareness campaign be rolled out through the secondary schools.

* Funded under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme