Warning issued to Leitrim road users in latest Garda campaign

The Sligo-Leitrim division of An Garda Síochána has issued a warning to all road users as part of a national safety initiative.

The ‘Can you see me now?’ campaign aims to highlight the dangers faced by vulnerable road users such as cyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists, and e-scooter users, who are particularly at risk during the darker winter months.

“Cyclists on our roads are at heightened risk. Fourteen pedal cyclists have lost their lives so far this year, with a significant number of fatalities falling into two age groups,” wrote An Garda Síochána on Facebook.

These age groups include young people under 20 and older adults aged 70 and above.

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“Many of these collisions happened between 12pm and 3pm, underscoring that visibility challenges are not limited to night or poor weather - vulnerable road users can be difficult to see even in broad daylight,” the post continued.

The Gardaí also highlighted that 37 pedestrians and two e-scooter drivers/passengers have died on Irish roads.

Vulnerable road users are being urged to wear high-visibility clothing and accessories, and to ensure they use proper lighting on bicycles, motorcycles, and e-scooters.

Drivers, meanwhile, are advised to use dipped headlights throughout the day during winter, reduce speed, anticipate the presence of vulnerable road users, allow extra space when overtaking on rural roads, and stay particularly alert during periods of low light.

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“As Ireland enters the darkest months of the year, the message is simple: If you can be seen, you can be safer.”

Leitrim County Council is also supporting the Gardaí campaign, sharing information and advice that encourages cyclists to wear a helmet, keep to the left, maintain their bike, respect other road users, monitor their speed, and avoid the danger zone near left-turning trucks.