It sounds like something you’d only see in an action movie – a motorist speeding headlong into oncoming traffic on a busy motorway. But apparently this crazy sight isn’t as rare as you’d think.
In fact, according to Road Safety Authority chief executive Noel Brett, high-risk incidents of motorists driving the wrong direction down motorways have become “a daily occurrence”.
Gardaí say the most dangerous drivers on motorways are “middle-aged and older drivers”. Of the two and a half million holders of driving licences, Mr Brett said the vast majority had never had any formal driving instruction and many older drivers were used to driving in a way which is unsuitable for motorways.
The most common and dangerous practices include people driving or reversing in the wrong direction, driving or parking on the hard shoulder, and walking on motorways. Mr Brett explained: “If someone misses their exit, they may feel it’s ok to do a u-turn, or try and reverse back. One simply cannot do that in the high-speed environment of a motorway.”
Six people – three pedestrians and three car-users – have already been killed on Irish motorways this year. This is not far off the total number of people killed on motorways for all of 2010, when four pedestrians, two car-users and two goods vehicle drivers lost their lives.
In response to these shocking statistics, the Road Safety Authority yesterday launched a campaign targeted at motorway users. A new 40-second ad focuses on overtaking, correct use of motorway lanes and what to do when your car breaks down on a motorway. And a further ad will focus on not driving in the wrong direction on a motorway.
Brought to you by AXA Car Insurance Ireland
Source: Irish Times – http://bit.ly/fJDYZ1