Kildare County Council, in association with the Gardaí, are making a joint appeal for motorcyclists to ‘Bike Safe’ while motorists are also urged to watch out for motorcyclists and to make sure there are no motorcyclists in their blind spots.

Kildare Road Safety

An examination by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) of forensic fatal collision investigation files published in 2016 found that almost one third of motorcyclists involved in fatal collisions between 2008 and 2012 had consumed alcohol and speeding was also a factor in almost half of all motorcycle deaths.

The Roads Policing Bureau will carry out speed detections on roads across Kildare, and according to Sgt Brian O’Loughlin, Gardaí will be out in force detecting speeding motorists. “When a driver speeds, they increase their chance of a collision, and reduce their chance of survival in a collision. Drivers should drive at the designated speed limit, and it’s just that, it’s a speed limit, not a target.”

Declan Keogh, Kildare County Council’s recently-appointed Road Safety, Cycling and Sustainable Transport Officer (RCSTO), says that heavy volumes of traffic on the roads bring additional risks and dangers to road users. “We appeal for drivers to drive at appropriate speeds, be sober of any alcohol or drugs, and to share the road, be a more courteous and considerate driver.”