Clare Cllr Claims Re-Training Not The Panacea For Preventing Road Deaths

Clare FM

A member of Clare's Road Safety Working Group claims a re-training course for problem drivers won't be the panacea for preventing road deaths. It's one of the measures being considered by the Government to tackle increasing fatalities on the country's roads. Training and education for problem drivers is among the measures being considered by the coalition to try reduce the number of lives lost on our country's roads. So far this year, 109 people have died in road traffic incidents across the country, according to Garda figures, including 43 drivers, 23 passengers, 21 pedestrians and 14 motorcyclists. The overall figure represents an increase of 17 on the same period in 2023. While here in Clare, the latest available RSA figures show 26 people suffered serious injuries in collisions on this county's roads alone in 2022. One member of Clare County Council's new Road Safety Working Group, Clarecastle Sinn Féin Councillor Tommy Guilfoyle says while a re-training programme wouldn't solve the problem completely, it could make a big difference. A graduated penalty points system, which would see points awarded for speeding based on the offence is also being considered by Junior Transport Minister James Lawless, as well as graduated fines. Shannon Fine Gael Councillor Tony Mulcahy, who's also a member of the Road Safety Working Group believes targeting problem drivers in the pocket might have the greatest impact.