Significant cut in drink-driving limit planned
The Government is reportedly planning to introduce a new drink-driving limit that wil...more
Efforts at road accident-free night
Young drivers in seven counties are taking part in an EU initiative aimed at reducing...more
NEW CROSS-BORDER ANTI-SPEEDING ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED
“Speed is the biggest contributing factor to road deaths in Ireland .”...more
Tips from various Garda, medical staff and driving instructors will be features on this page. It will be updated frequently, so please call back soon. The content is listed in chronological order, so the newest addition will be first
Driver Fatigue - Staying Alert and Fit to Drive
- Driving a vehicle for long hours is tiring. Even the best of drivers will become less alert. Here are a few suggestions that good drivers can do to help stay alert and safe.
- Get enough sleep. Leaving on a long trip when you're already tired is dangerous. If you have a long trip scheduled, make sure that you get enough sleep before you go.
- Schedule trips safely. Your body gets used to sleeping during certain hours. If you are driving during those hours, you will be less alert. If possible, try to schedule trips for the hours you are normally awake. Trying to push on and finish a long trip at night can be very dangerous.
- Avoid medication. Many medicines can make you sleepy. If you have to drive with a cold, you are better off suffering from the cold than from the effects of the medicine.
- Keep cool. A hot, poorly ventilated car can make you sleepy. Keep the window or vent cracked or use the air conditioner, if you have one.
- Take breaks. Short breaks can keep you alert. But the time to take them is before you feel really drowsy or tired. Stop often.
Researcher: Rte News
Excessive/Inappropriate Speed
Exceeding the posted speed limit or driving too fast for conditions is the single largest factor contributing to road deaths in Ireland. Over 40% of fatal accidents are caused by excessive or inappropriate speed.
Speeding reduces a driver's ability to steer safely around curves or objects in the roadway, extends the distance necessary to stop a vehicle, and increases the distance a vehicle travels while the driver reacts to a dangerous situation.
It's a very simple concept. The faster you drive the less time you have to react to a situation. At 60 mph, a car will travel 88 feet in one second - that's quite a distance in an instant and not a lot of time to react.
Test yourself by answering the following question! Roughly what's the stopping distance of a car travelling at 60mph on a wet road is it 50 yards - 70 yards - 110 yards - 140 yards?
The answer is 140 Yards.
Driving at excessive or inappropriate speed for the conditions cuts your chances of reacting to an emergency on time. The message to drivers who speed is - SLOW DOWN. No journey is so important its worth risking your life and the lives of others.
Researcher: Rte News
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Save Some One Ireland research has already interested Transition year co-ordinators at a Kerry based secondary school. An exhibition DVD detailing common errors and hazards from everyday driving is at present being compiled.
For more information about the DVD come here.