Rsa and garda target new campaign at cyclists and hgv drivers

To mark the start of Bike Week, which runs from June 13th-21st, the Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána launched a new campaign today targeting cyclists and truck drivers. The aim of the campaign is to highlight the existence of the ‘Blind Spots’ around trucks.

 

In Ireland’s urban areas, between 2007 and May 2015, 54 Vulnerable Road Users (cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists) were killed in collisions involving trucks.  Collisions involving trucks accounted for 20% of urban VRU fatalities. The Minister for Transport,Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, welcomed the campaign and said it will help to raise greater awareness of the blind spot issue among cyclists and truck drivers.

 

According to Moyagh Murdock, Chief Executive of the Road Safety Authority, the message is simple: “If you cannot see the driver, the driver cannot see you.” She advised cyclists to be aware of the existence of the ‘Danger Zone’ on trucks while truck drivers too need to be aware of the fact that the mirrors on their cab will not always give them a total view of cyclists. Similarly, Chief Superintendent Mark Curran of the Garda National Traffic Bureau commented on the need to realise the dangers that are out there, especially when in close proximity to large vehicles.

 

To mark Bike Week, the RSA has developed a new 30 second video to highlight the danger of the blind spot on trucks. The video is aimed at both cyclists and goods vehicle drivers and will be deployed online and promoted on social media. In addition, the RSA will be screening its 60 second cycling safety TV advert through Video on Demand and promoting its four Rules of the Road for Cyclists videos online.