The Local Authorities within County Carlow – Carlow County Council, Carlow Town Council and Muinebheag Town Council – in association with An Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority, the Department of Transport, the National Roads Authority and other relevant agencies, have prepared a Road Safety Plan as part of a coordinated strategy to address the issue of road fatalities and serious injuries within the county.
Through working together, pooling our knowledge, expertise and ideas, it is intended that much more can be achieved than working as individual agencies. Carlow Local Authorities, and the other agencies involved in preparing the plan, are committed to implementing it, and look forward to the support of the wider community.
While Carlow County Council plays a large part, the pursuit and promotion of road safety is also dependant on other agencies such as the Road Safety Authority, the Department of the Environment Heritage and Local Government, the National Roads Authority, An Garda Siochana, and school authorities. Also it is well recognised that road safety is critically dependent on public support and the attitudes and behaviour of individual road users.
The performance in respect of road safety can be measured by the accident records on the public roads. All accident types are of concern but in terms of road safety parameters the number of fatal injuries is most important.
Carlow County Council carry out a range of improvements to enhance safety on the road network. In the case of new road projects a safety audit is undertaken to identify potential hazards. In relation to existing roads, accident records and road safety expertise are utilised to identify hazardous locations. The safety of these locations are then improved by various road safety engineering measures such as sight distance improvements, road delineation or signage, traffic control measures to name but a few.
The Council employs a Road Safety Awareness Officer on a part-time basis. Talks can be arranged with schools and community groups to discuss a wide range of road safety issues.
Contacts
John McDarby
Road Safety Officer
Carlow County Council
County Offices
Athy Road, Carlow, Ireland
T: 00353 59 9170 300
E: jmcdarby@carlowcoco.ie