WORLD DAY OF REMEMBERANCE FOR ROAD TRAFFIC VICTIMS
I recently came across a site which gave details of Global Road Deaths.
The site run by Roadpeace, the UK based charity records that since January 2010, there have been 1,125,261 road deaths worldwide. Staggering isn’t it!
The charity has also organised the “World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims” which was held on the 21st November 2010.
The day in particular focuses on the overall scale and individual devastation caused by road deaths and injuries and the impact on families and communities around the World.
Almost 4,000 people are killed and many hundreds of thousands injured on the roads throughout the World every day. Many have to cope with the bereavement or effects of injuries and become part of a large community affected by tragedies on our roads.
The concept for the remembrance goes back to 1993 and was organised by Roadpeace and adopted by the United Nations in 2005 as a response to road victims for public recognition.
In light of the serious number of accidents in Ireland, there is certainly a case for a similar initiative to be adopted here in Ireland.
On the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, we mourn the estimated 1.3 million people who lose their lives on the world’s streets and highways each year, and we renew our resolve to prevent further deaths,” U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement. “Many tragedies can be avoided through a set of proven, simple measures that benefit not only individuals and families but society at large.”
Earlier this year, the U.N. General Assembly declared the first-ever “Decade of Action for Road Safety,” providing an opportunity for global action. Ki-moon has called on all nations, international agencies, civil society organizations, and businesses and community leaders to ensure that the decade leads to real improvements. Governments have been directed to release their national plans May 11, 2011. The U.N. Road Safety Collaboration is encouraging measures to make roads and vehicles safer, improve the behavior of drivers and pedestrians, and enhance emergency services.
“If we all take these and other simple measures, we can give real meaning to this observance, thereby honoring the memory of the victims in the best way possible: with action to spare the lives of others,”
“My hope is that all governments and relevant stakeholders will make public their plans for the decade on May 11,” Krug said in a statement. “Those who have been directly affected by road traffic crashes and their families will have a vital role to play throughout the decade. This annual World Day of Remembrance will offer a place for the voices of these victims and for their families. They guide us in all that we do
Paul Tracey
Personal Injury Solicitor
Ireland
23nd November 2010
CYCLISTS NEED TO SEE THE LIGHT !
The recent change of the clock and the onset of the winter season has brought out the usual challenges for cyclists in Dublin.
An interesting article appeared in the Irish Times last week when a pedestrian complained that he has observed a number of cyclists colliding with cars. Whilst welcoming the arrival of Dublin Bikes, he commented that “many cyclists persist with cycling without any kind of lights”.
Legally cyclists put themselves & others at risk by not using lights & high visability clothing.
The basic safety equipment which is incorporated on the Dublin Bike Scheme are worth looking at as a ‘marker’ for safety standards.
Paul Tracey
Solicitor
22nd November 2010
Cyclist Banned from the Streets of US town!
A town in the US has banned cyclists from its streets, with fines for cyclists of up to €68. The town called Black Hawk in Colorado, (yes believe it or not) which has a population of just above 100, is thought to be the first town in the US to make cycling illegal.
The new law has been introduced for “health and safety” reasons, said administrators of the former gold mining town, which in the 1990s decided to develop gambling to prevent the place vanishing altogether.
Apparently the decision is to prevent collisions between cars and bicycles on 19th-century streets that were designed for horses and carriages.
The town started enforcing the ban on 5 June 2010, five months after it passed the law requiring cyclists to dismount and wheel their bikes through the town.
Whilst the rule may seem little more than a version of our pedestrian street here in Dublin a number of American cycling groups are up in arms.
Is this a case of ‘Blackhawk Down on cyclists!!? ?’
Sorry couldn’t resist that!
A copy of the notification is attached.
BICYCLES PROHIBITED
City of Black Hawk Ordinances 2009-20 and 2010-3 states bicycles are prohibited within the City on certain streets. Signs are posted on Gregory Street, Main Street, Richman Street, Mill Street, Miner’s Mesa Road, Bobtail Street, and Selak Street prohibiting bicycles.
City Police Officers will ticket anyone caught riding on these streets.
Cyclist Banned from driving for ‘breaking a red light’!
A cyclist who broke a red light and seriously injured himself when colliding with a car a car has been banned from driving a car for a year.
This unusual case highlights the obligations of cyclist as road users.
The case which was heard in a Dublin District Court has surprised many commentators as convictions of this nature & bans are somewhat rare.
The law allows convictions to be endorsed on licenses & and driving bans imposed.
If an ‘offender’ does not have a current driving license the conviction may be endorsed on a subsequent license if one is applied for.
So it is cause for reflection for any cyclist ‘runs a light’ or ignores any other rule of the road as they could face a driving ban!
Cycle safely
Paul Tracey
Solicitor & Cyclist!
Bikeweek Hits the Streets from the 13th of June
Bike Week 2010 is a cross-community effort to highlight cycling as a fun, cost effective and healthy way to travel.
Promoters include cyclist.ie (Ireland’s National Cyclist Lobby Group), the Dublin Cycling Campaign, representatives from the various strands of the cycle industry, An Taisce, local authorities, the health sector, Cycling Ireland, private individuals, the Office of Public Works, the National Transport Authority, the Road Safety Authority, the Department For Regional Development Northern Ireland and the Department of Transport.
A number of the events during Bike Week 2010 are being kindly supported by a wide range of sponsors including the Embassy of Denmark, An Post and All4one Bikes4work.
Checkout more at www.bikeweek.ie
Accidents caused by uninsured drivers cost €500,000
The recent publication of Stubbs Gazette shows that the Motor Insurer’s Bureau Of Ireland (the MIBI) obtained judgments against uninsured drivers of over €500,000 in recent weeks.
The MIBI is responsible for compensating victims of road traffic accidents caused by uninsured or unidentified drivers.
This applies to untraced cars which leave the scene of an accident or unknowingly cause injuries to a member of the public.
When these cases are settled by the MIBI,it pursues the uninsured drivers who have caused the injuries to recover the money paid to the victims of such accidents.
The scheme ensures that innocent victims of car accidents ,be they passangers, pedestrians or other motorists are not at a loss for the absensce of insurance on the vehicle which has caused their injuries. In effect the MIBI appoint an insurance company to act in the place of the ‘absent insurer’ so that the injured person is not be at a loss.
The amount of the judgments shows the significant number of cases where the MIBI have a role to play where drivers choose not to insure their cars and unfortunate accidents occur.
If you have queries on the workings of the MIBI or related queries , feel free to e mail our offices
Paul Tracey
11/01/2010
