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KERRY COUNTY COUNCIL has published a five-year road safety plan for the county. The plan, which aims to develop a co-ordinated approach to the issue of road safety, was adopted by councillors late last year and covers the period up to 2020.

The new plan focuses on progress on the four ‘E’s of Education, Engineering, Enforcement and Evaluation and involved the input of many other organisations including An Garda Síochána, the HSE, the Road Safety Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the National Transport Authority and the Department of Transport.

In the decade between 2006 and 2015, a total of 119 people lost their lives on Kerry’s roads and the Plan aims to significantly reduce serious injury and fatality on the roads of Kerry. It sets out four main objectives in the areas of education, engineering, enforcement and evaluation in the years up to 2020.

It aims to raise awareness of road safety with a view to changing attitudes and behaviour at individual, community, and organisational levels; to make Kerry’s road network safer and more forgiving of inevitable errors by road users dnsure viable and appropriate enforcement, acting as a deterrent and increasing compliance with road traffic laws; and ensure sustainable reduction in road fatalities and serious injury by constant research into the efficacy of actions undertaken.

The outgoing Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Michael O’Shea, said: "The successful implementation of the Plan will be dependant, not only on the various organisations responsible for road safety, but also on the assistance and cooperation of all road users.

"Through working together, and sharing our knowledge, expertise and experience, we aim to develop a safer environment for all road users. This will be achieved through educating drivers and those using our roads, improving road standards, and enforcing legislation."

The chief superintendent of An Garda Síochána in Kerry, Tom Myers, said: "I am resolute in ensuring the people of Kerry and the many visitors to the county engage in safe driving practices. A key priority is the enforcement of road traffic legislation. We will use targeted enforcement based on intelligence and analysis, as well as education and prevention programmes to reduce serious injuries and fatalities."
 

 
Above: Launching the new Road Safety Plan for Kerry in the Council Chamber, were Chief Superintendent, An Garda Síochána, Tom Myers; Road Safety Promotion Officer, Road Safety Authority, Eileen Cunningham; Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Michael O’Shea; Chief Executive of Kerry County Council, Moira Murrell; Road Safety Officer, Kerry County Council, Michelle Mullane; Patient Transport Manager, HSE, Brendan Galwey.