Kilkenny Road Safety Plan 2007-2012 Review February 2011
Download Road Safety Plan 2007-2012 Review Feb 2011 Final.pdf (size 7.8 MB)
Introduction
The Road Safety Authority was established in 2006 with a view to co-ordinating, implementing and
reviewing road safety initiatives. Following its establishment, the Road Safety Authority published the
Road Safety Strategy 2007-2012.
The primary aim of the National Road Safety Strategy 2007–2012 is to reduce collisions, deaths and
injuries on Irish roads. In turn the Strategy identified a number of key areas, including enforcement,
engineering, education and evaluation that would be targeted so as to achieve the primary aim.
Kilkenny Road Safety Plan 2007-2012
In parallel with the establishment of the national strategy Kilkenny Local Authorities, in
consultation
with An Garda Siochana, Ambulance Services, Health Service Executive, Department of Environment,
Heritage & Local Government, National Roads Authority, Road Safety Authority and local community
representatives, developed the Kilkenny Road Safety Plan 2007-2012. In essence this plan seeks to
provide for the establishment of coherent policies and actions at local level so as to realise
reductions in the numbers of collisions, deaths and injuries on the roads of County Kilkenny.
Key Provisions of Kilkenny Provisions of Kilkenny Road Safety Plan 2007-2012
The list below represents the key provisions and targets of the Kilkenny Road Safety Plan
2007-2012:
• Establishment of the Road Safety Together Committee to oversee the development and
implementation of the Kilkenny Road Safety Plan.
• To achieve a reduction of 25% in the average number of fatal/serious injury road accidents over
the period of the Plan.
• To establish annual objectives in order to achieve the overall, primary objectives.
• To make roads safer for cyclists and pedestrians.
• To review accident statistics annually so as to identify accident cluster sites and to rank
such sites for remedial action.
• To implement a range of measures to improve road safety including:
• engineering works
• enforcement
• special speed limits
• education and awareness
• traffic safety teams.
Review of Key Provisions
1. Road Safety Together Committee
The Committee oversaw the development of the Kilkenny Road Safety Plan and has met on a number of
occasions to review the progress of the Plan and to establish annual actions. The Committee has
met on the following occasions:
• 7th May 2008
• 28th January 2009
• 3rd December 2009
2. Reduction in the average number of fatal/serious injury road accidents.
Appendix 1 attached provides details of the numbers of fatal and serious injury road accidents in
County Kilkenny in each of the three preceding three year periods to 2009.
2001-2003 85
2004-2006 71
2007-2009 60
In the six year period preceding the Road Safety Plan there was a total of 156 fatal and serious
injury accidents, an average of 26 per annum.
To achieve a 25% reduction over the six year period of the Plan, fatal and serious injury accidents
are required to reduce to 117 over the period 2007-2012. At the half way stage of the Plan (i.e.
2007-
2009) there have been a total of 60 fatal and serious injury accidents. Therefore the attainment
of the overall objective is largely on target at the mid-term review of the Road Safety Plan.
3. Establishment of Annual Objectives
Annual objectives are established by way of individual agencies assessing and determining their own
priorities in keeping with their areas of expertise. In addition consultation particularly
involving technical staff from Kilkenny Local Authorities, An Garda Siochana, elected members and
the Road Safety Officer provide for the identification of engineering remedial and/or maintenance
works, the identification of areas for enforcement and the advancement of educational measures.
In parallel with the Road Safety Together Committee a sub-committee, (Traffic Safety
Team) consisting of representatives of An Garda Siochana and Kilkenny County Council Roads Section,
meets quarterly to review and discuss road safety matters throughout the County.
4. To Make Roads Safer for Cyclists and Pedestrians
Since the Road Safety Plan was adopted in 2007 a total of 50km of cycle track has been provided
and/or facilitated by Kilkenny Local Authorities.
5. Review of Road Statistics and Identification of Accident Cluster Sites
Appendix 2 provides details of a range of Low Cost Safety Improvement Schemes that have been
implemented with a view to addressing road safety concerns. The total investment for the period
2007-2009 across the National, Regional and Local Road network in County Kilkenny is €950,000.
In consideration of all Low Cost Safety Improvement Schemes since 2004 it is noted there is a
significant collective, reduction across all accident categories at these sites following the
introduction of remedial measures.
6. Various Measures to Enhance Road Safety
These measures include:
• An Garda Siochana Traffic Corps
• The opening of the M8 and M9 through County Kilkenny noting that motorways are 7 to 9 times
safer than unimproved single carriageways.
• Implementation of the School Safety Plan including individual school assessment and introduction
of special speed limits, together with identified road safety and traffic management measures.
• Winter Maintenance Plan.
• Collision Reporting Mechanisms whereby all sites of serious and fatal road accidents are
reviewed jointly by Kilkenny County Council and An Garda Siochana.
• Traffic Calming Measures, following on from the development of and in compliance with the
Kilkenny Local Authorities Traffic Calming Policy, have been introduced at a range of locations
throughout County Kilkenny.
• Education and Awareness Campaigns operated by An Garda Siochana and
Road Safety Officer including;
o ‘RSA Shuttle’ at Kilkenny Show in August 2010 at which 2000 visitors engaged in road skills
knowledge and driver theory tests
o Prime Time radio slots addressing aspects of road safety such as
Mobile Phone Usage, Drink Driving, Drug Driving and Speeding
o Road Safety Leaflet distribution and distribution of Hi-Vis Vests
SUGGESTED PRIORITIES FOR 2011-2012
The following are suggested for inclusion in Action Plans for 2011/2012 taking account of the main
aims of the Road Safety Plan together with the data recovered for the period 2007-2009.
1. Appendix 1 illustrates that, in the period 2007-2009, 43% of fatal and serious accidents occur
on the Regional Road network. While the development of the M8 and M9 is likely to have a positive
impact in terms of accident numbers on the National Network, declassification of routes to Regional
status now provides that there is a total of 421km of Regional Roads throughout County Kilkenny.
Similarly, for the periods 2004-2006 and 2001-2003, 55% and
44% of total fatal and serious injury road accidents occur on the Regional Network. On foot of
these findings Kilkenny Local Authorities will place greater precedence on identifying and
improving the safety of accident cluster sites on the Regional Road network. Appendix 3 provides
specific details of accident location sites for each of the three year periods 2001 –
2003, 2004 – 2006 and 2007 – 2009. This may provide assistance in the identification of areas for
An Garda Siochana enforcement activities.
2. In order to provide for efficient enforcement of Road Traffic Legislation, An Garda Siochana,
in partnership with Kilkenny County Council, will develop suitable sites for the deployment of the
Garda Mobile Weighbridge. Efficient deployment measures for the mobile weighbridge facilitate
enforcement, enhance road safety and protect the structural integrity of the road network.
3. It is a key aim of the Road Safety Plan to make roads safer for cyclists and pedestrians. In
order to make such road users more visible to motorists an advisory and enforcement campaign is
recommended. Similarly many pedestrians walk on the road network in darkness with no high
visibility clothing.
4. Appendix 3 attached provides details of Fatal and Serious Road Accident Statistics for each of
the three year periods 2001 – 2003, 2004 – 2006 and 2007 – 2009. The information provides guidance
and advice regarding the deployment, by An Garda Siochana, of their enforcement capabilities.
Simon Walton,
Senior Engineer,
Roads | Frank Stafford,
Senior Executive Engineer,
Road Design | Hugh Hunter,
Road Safety Officer, |
