Holidaymakers urged totake care driving abroad – MEP Kelly

Sean Kelly MEP has called on Irish motorists driving abroad this summer and holidaymakers in Ireland to slow down and take extra care, especially when driving on the opposite side of the road to which they are used to.

“Unfortunately, road fatalities are still a common occurrence on Irish roads. Provisional data shows some 83 people tragically died on Irish roads in the first six months of this year,” Mr Kelly said. “EU-wide, 26,025 people were killed in road accidents across last year, 190 in Ireland (an increase of 28) – the first increase in fatalities since 2005. “The four most dangerous traffic offences are speeding, running traffic lights, failure to use seatbelts and drink driving. EU research estimates these four offences cause 75 per cent of all road fatalities. So it stands to reason that those are the areas that EU Member States must address in improving road safety. “All motorists have a responsibility to obey the rules of the road. Figures suggest that foreign drivers account for 5 per cent of traffic but around 15 per cent of speeding offences across the EU. European policymakers are currently improving legislation to allow for a swift cross-border exchange of information on traffic offences so that drivers who break the rules of the road will be prosecuted even after they return home from holidays. “I would also urge those who will be driving on the opposite side of the road to which they are used to this summer to take extra care,” Mr Kelly added.