Hauliers say overgrown hedges on rural roads 'dangerous'
The Irish Road Haulage Association said its members are "sick and tired" of encountering dangerous tree branches and protruding hedges.
The organisation has called on local authorities to ensure roadside hedges are cut back, particularly at busy junctions.
Members say overgrown hedges are blocking sightlines at junctions, obstructing road signs and causing accidents on rural roads.
IRHA President Ger Hyland said overgrown hedges are especially dangerous for high-sided vehicles, like trucks.
"When hedges encroach onto the road, truck drivers are often forced to veer across the white line in order to avoid damage to their vehicles and wing mirrors, creating a dangerous situation for all road users," he said.
"An average medium sized haulier is losing two mirrors a week on their truck fleet. That is a cost of €1,000 euro a week due to mismanagement of our roadside vegetation."
The IRHA said in a statement that overgrown hedges and briers are also dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians, as they can push them out into traffic at the last minute.
Mr Hyland said section 70 of the Roads Act 1993 sets out "a clear responsibility" on landowners to maintain roadside hedgerows.
He criticised local authorities for not enforcing this rule and called on them to be more proactive when engaging with local landowners who border rural roads.
Hedge-cutting is prohibited from 1 March to 31 August, but there is an exemption in cases where overgrowth poses a road safety hazard.
Mr Hyland said the IRHA is aware of the importance of hedgerows and biodiversity, but road safety must take priority.
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