Speed Cameras the battle for credibility continues!
The recent introduction of speed cameras into Dublin comes from the extensive use of cameras throughout the UK.
A recent battle has broken out between two pressure groups in this area as to the effectiveness of their use and indeed, the merit of cameras.
The situation has become quite polarised in England with a prominent road safety group known as Roadpeace coming into direct conflict with a group known as Tax Payer’s Alliance.
A recent review of Roadpeace refers to a report presented by the Tax Payer’s Alliance this year which challenges the effectiveness of speed cameras.
The main basis upon which the Tax Payer’s Alliance (TPA) argues their case is that the costs of the speed cameras far exceed their value.
In an aggressive response to this argument, Roadpeace quote a number of convincing statistics.
They refer to the Department of Transport Road Casualties and Deaths statistics for the year 2009.
This report states that road deaths have fallen to 2,200, 12% down on the previous year.
This is the lowest number of deaths ever recorded and contributed to another milestone for Roadpeace.
That study concluded that when cameras were introduced, they resulted in: -
- Reduction of 100 fatalities per annum (1745 killed and 4230 personal injury collisions in 2004)
- Reduced speeding by 74% at new fixed camera sites and 18% drop at new camera sites.
- Overall the proportion of vehicles speeding excessively fell by 91% at fixed camera sites and 36% at mobile camera sites.
- 2.7-1 benefit to society from the avoiding injuries in excess of 285million to enforcing costs of about £96 million.
The statistics prepared by Roadpeace are quite impressive and seem to have put paid to the argument of the TPA.
One interesting comment to be noted is the fact that the significant improvements appear to have occurred where the cameras are fixed and not mobile.
It will be interesting to see what statistics the Gardai and the RSA produce after the mobile camera units have been in place for some time in Ireland.
Will similar pressure groups step forward to argue against these cameras?
One would feel that this would be unlikely bearing in mind the carnage which has occurred on Irish Roads and the high level of backing that the AA have provided to the use of speed cameras.
Comments welcome!
Paul Tracey
Personal Injury Solicitor
Dated the 23rd November 2010
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
Uninsured drivers in Ireland on the rise?
THE NUMBER of uninsured drivers causing road accidents has increased by approximately 10 per cent in 2009 according to the chief executive of the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland. (MIBI)
One suspects that this significant rise in the number of claims against uninsured drivers being processed by the MIBI is due to the economic downturn.
“It appears that the recession may have had an impact on the number of uninsured drivers on the road. It is a very worrying trend and an extremely serious issue. Driving uninsured is a criminal offence’’ commented a spokesperson for the MIBI
The MIBI is responsible for compensating victims of accidents caused by uninsured and unidentified vehicles. It also compensates victims or untraced motorists who cause accidents or who leave the scene of accidents.
Recent figures show that in 2008 the MIBI settled over 2,000 claims with uninsured drivers who were involved in accidents, most of which involved bodily injury.
Mr. Casey the chief executive of the Bureau estimated that the figure for 2009 will be approximately 10 per cent higher than in 2008.
Although the cost of motor insurance has been declining in recent years this problem has not gone away! “In real terms the cost of motor insurance is the same as 10 years ago. Premiums have been coming down and there is a lot more competition in the market place. Price is simply is not an excuse.”
He also rejected the claim that a lack of concern among drivers about Garda surveillance has led to an increase in the number of motorists driving without insurance. “There has been an increase in the traffic corps in recent years, and there are more and more roadside checks,” he said.
If you have had an accident caused by an uninsured driver or where a driver has left the scene or failed to stop at the scene it is important that you act promptly and comply with the requirements of the MIBI.
We at Paul Tracey Solicitors have extensive experience in this are of injury work and will be happy to assist you with any questions you have on this topic.
Tips if involved in an accident
-Call the Garda at the scene
-Take the names & addresses of any witnesses
-Seek medical assistance promptly if required
-Take prompt legal advice to ensure your rights are protected
Paul Tracey Solicitor 08/03/2010
(Paul Tracey is a lawyer based in Dublin specializing in personal injury litigation in particular road traffic cases where insurance issues arise.)
Personal Injuries
Injuries Board report shows average public liability award to injured persons was €22,865
The Injuries Board has reported that during the two year period from January 2007 to December 2008 it made 2,859 awards in public liability claims cases. The Board awarded compensation totalling €65,400,000. The average award was €22,885. This compares with an average award of €20,792 to PL claimants in 2007.
In a report issued recently- A Review of Public Liability Awards 2007 & 2008 – the Injuries Board gave details of:
- awards
- location of accidents
- causes of accidents
- type of injury suffered.
The average award was €22,865.
Most awards were for less than €38,000, the upper limit of awards the Circuit Court can make.
While only 0.5% of awards were for over €100,000, that in fact means that 14 awards of €100,000 or more were made by the Board.
Over 350 awards (12.5%) of between €38,000 and €100,000 were made.
Thirty-two percent of awards (914) of between €20,000 and €38,000 were made. Fifty-five percent (1,572) of all awards were for less that €20,000.
Over a quarter of all awards (27%) were made against local authorities in relation to accidents in public places under the control of local authorities.
Nearly a quarter of all awards (24%) were made in respect of accidents in retail and shopping outlets. The other locations of accidents were:
- hotels, pubs, clubs, restaurants (19%)
- leisure facilities (13%)
- transport/utilities (6%)
- education and health establishments (4%)
The remaining 6% of accidents occurred in a variety of locations, including construction sites and car parks.
A remarkable 67% of the accidents were caused by slips, trips and falls.
The other causes of accidents were flying/falling objects (11%),
-injury caused by machinery (5%), cuts (3%),
-burns/scalds, assaults and animals (each 2%),
-one percent each for poisoning and reaction.
-the remaining 6% were attributed to other causes.
The review shows that many accident victims sustain at least two types of injury. The most common injuries suffered are sprains (40%), bruising (32%), fractures (29%), lacerations/cuts (25%) and injuries classified as superficial (10%).
Four percent of awards were for psychological disorders, with crush, intracranial, dislocation and burns each accounting for 2% of injuries.
Seven percent of injuries are classified in the other category.
Given that many of those injured suffer from one or more of the types of injuries listed, the total adds up to 155%.
The review reports that 70% of awards were made to women and while people of all ages suffer accidents, half of all awards went to people aged over 45.
The report provides a valuable insight for workplace owners, drivers and local authorities as to where there focus should be in an effort to prevent such accidents.
Paul Tracey solicitors has specialised in the provision of assistance to injured parties for over 20 years,it’s principal welcomed the publication of the report of the injuries board data which was hitherto unavailable from the court services
Paul Tracey
7th August 2009
Personal injuries suffered by schoolboy in Dog Attack -Settlement offer approved by court!
A young boy who received severe injuries following an attack by a dog has received €17,500 euros in damages following the approval of a settlement offer in the Dublin Circuit court.
The 12-year-old schoolboy who was bitten on the arm by a neighbour’s dog, the court was told and his arm had been punctured in three places and he received 17 stitches.
The case highlights the importance of keeping dogs under ‘effective control’ as required by the law.
in cases where householders & dog owners do not have household insurance they can find themselves in the position of having to personally compensate victims in such cases.
Paul Tracey
24/07/2009
Car Accident -Child injured by uninsured driver has award approved by Circuit Court
Filed under: Accidents, Injury Law, Road Accidents, Uncategorized
A young Boy had an offer of compensation approved ib the Dublin Circuit Court this week. The award of €24,000 euros was approved by the President of the Circuit court after he considered the submissions of the boy’s counsel.
The plaintiff a Dublin schoolboy, who was injured on a bus trip to Donegal.
Circuit Court president Mr Justice Matthew Deery, heard that Peter O’Brien Hogan (15) suffered a broken leg when an uninsured driver ran into him.
Barrister Helen Louise Caffrey said Peter had just alighted from a bus in the Letterkenny Shopping Centre car park on June 22nd, 2006 when the incident occurred.
She said the motorist, from Co Derry, was uninsured and the claim was being met by the Motor Insurance Bureau.
The case highlights the role the the Motor Insurance Bureau of Ireland plays where a person is injured and the offending driver has no insurance.
Innocent Victims of car accident swhere the drivers have no insurance should be aware of their rights to seek compensation for their injuries & finacial losses.
Paul Tracey
24/07/2009
