Slow down boys

Some 2,662 people lost their lives on the Republic’s roads between 1996 and 2001. Shockingly, goods vehicles were involved in 20 per cent of these road fatalities, according to statistics just released by the National Safety Council.
John Loughran reports.

The NRA has found that 90 per cent of truckers break the 30mph speed limit

The Irish road haulage industry has been held in high esteem in relation to its road safety record for many years. The Gardai and road safety experts have been fulsome in their praise of the industry and the professionalism of its drivers, despite numerous high-profile road fatalities involving goods vehicles in recent times.

However, in the wake of statistics recently released by the National Safety Council (NSC), the industry may now be viewed in a totally different light. In 2001 there were 67 fatal crashes involving goods vehicles, representing some 16 per of all fatal crashes that year. These 67 fatal crashes resulted in 82 fatalities.
When statistics for the previous six years are correlated, the picture is even bleaker.

Statistics complied by the NSC showed that 494 people died on the Republic's roads in crashes involving goods vehicles between 1996 and 2001.
Of the 494 deaths, 72 were truck drivers, representing 15 per cent of the deaths involving a goods vehicles. It is generally accepted that in a crash involving goods vehicle and a private car, the odds of survival are stacked in favour of the truck driver. This assertion is borne out in the following statistics.

Three quarters of fatal accidents involving goods vehicles happened in rural areas

The vast majority of deaths in this particular category were other road users. Car users accounted for 51 per cent of fatalities; pedestrians made up 19 per cent of fatalities; motorcyclists accounted for 7 per cent of deaths and cyclists numbered 6 per cent of the total.

Significantly, 74 per cent of fatalities involving goods vehicles occurred in rural areas, while just over a quarter (26 per cent) happened in built up areas. The NSC doesn't offer an explanation why almost three out of four fatal accidents
involving a goods vehicle occurred in rural areas. However, a poor road infrastructure, and a propensity for truckers to speed are possible contributory factors.

In compiling the statistics the NSC stresses that it isn't pointing an accusing figure at goods vehicle users, neither is it in the business of apportioning blame. Chief executive of the NSC Pat Costello commented: "We are not saying they are responsible, just that they are involved."

Watch your speed!

He said the occupant(s) in a small car were far more likely to die than a truck driver in an accident involving a car and a goods vehicle. Given the relative statistics, it appears car users were at least three times more likely to be killed in the event of accident involving a car and a goods vehicle.

Mr Costello believes the cut and thrust of everyday business is a contributory factor. "The 'just in time" principle can cause problems, particularly with the volume of traffic on the road and remedial works going on, that can lead to delays, and they try to make up lost time," he stated.

There has alway been anecdotal evidence to suggest that a small percentage of truckers persistently break the speed limit. Speeding wasn't viewed as a large scale problem amongst the trucking community. However, this myth will be dispelled with the forthcoming publication of statistics compiled by the National Roads Authority (NRA).

The report by the NRA is expected to show that the speed of most road users has fallen in recent years, but truck speeds have not improved. Instead of backing the assertion that speeding isn't rife amongst the haulage community, the report will bring into question hauliers' commitment to road safety. It is understood the report will show that 80 per
cent of articulated lorries exceed the 50 mph speed limit on motorways, and more than 90 per cent speed in 30 mph zones.

A garda spokesman told this writer that truckers are blatantly disregarding the law in relation to speeding. "Your readers will be all too aware of the speed limits. However, they are flouting the law in this respect. We are aware that they are operating to tight delivery deadlines, but the law is the law and will be enforced, without exception."

He continued: "The trucks have speed limiters that kick in at a certain speed. However, many truckers are bypassing the speed limiter to 'make time'. This is a very serious offence and offenders will be prosecuted and the full vigour of the law will be brought to bear on them."

The recent introduction of the penalty points sytem for speeding has brought about a change in attitudes amongst most drivers. A significant reduction in road fatalities has been attributed to its introduction.

While the gardai have noticed a marked change in truckers' driving behaviour there is still room for improvement. The spokesman commented: "We have noticed a change for the better, but there are still too many truckers breaking the speed limits, especially in built up areas."

He concluded: "They are still breaking the 30mph speed limit in built up areas and still breaking the speed limit on the open road. Truckers are beginning to recognise that they will have penalty points on their licence, if they are caught speeding, but many of them seem to be willing to take the risk, to get to their destination on time."