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However, road safety chiefs claim
the high-visibility reflective vest could be difference between
life and death while walking home from the pub.
Launching a campaign which will see 30,000
vests distributed free to thousands of rural pubs across the
country, chief executive Noel Brett urged customers to avail
of the safety device to help tackle the number of pedestrians
being killed on Irish roads.
Last year 47 pedestrians were killed
and five have already died this year. Three of those killed
this year were over 65 years of age. As part of plans to reduce
the number of deaths among vulnerable road users, the RSA
has teamed up with the Vitners' Federation of Ireland (VFI)
and FBD Insurance to distribute the vests which will help
protect pedestrians and cyclists.
"The campaign is designed to improve
safety in rural areas and educate vulnerable road-users of
the need to be seen in order to be safe on Irish country roads,"
Mr Brett said. "This time of the year is traditionally
a high risk period for walkers and cyclists as poor light
and weather conditions make road use more dangerous. The way
the scheme will operate is simple. High-visibility vests will
be available for patrons of pubs right across the country
to use if they are walking or cycling home from the pub. All
we would ask is that they return them on the next visit to
the pub for others to use.
"Wearing a €3 vest can be the
difference between being killed or seriously injured. This
is another example of the kind of moves publicans are making.
Publicans the length and breath of the country have already
put in place good road safety initiatives like keyholding
schemes, designated driver schemes, car polling and in many
instances are providing transport to get people home at night."
Perilous
"If one of these 30,000 high-visibility
vests saves one life then it has been a worthwhile exercise.
The dark winter nights are particularly perilous for pedestrians
in rural Ireland and we will be advising our customers to
avail of these vests and I am sure they will. The last thing
a publican wants to hear is someone that was in the night
before has suffered a serious injury or fatality."
Someone wearing a high visibility jacket
will be clearly seen by an oncoming car 500 metres away, the
RSA says. A driver will only see a pedestrian without a vest
from 50 metres.
full story at http://www.independent.ie
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