Latest news with #SéanCanney
Agriland
29-05-2025
- Agriland
RSA issues warning to drivers ahead of bank holiday weekend
Ahead of the June Bank Holiday weekend, the Road Safety Authority (RSA), An Garda Síochána, and Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail, and Ports at the Department of Transport, Séan Canney, are urging all road users to never drive under the influence of alcohol. The appeal comes as RSA analysis has found that over one third of driver fatalities with a toxicology result available during the years 2016–2020 tested positive for alcohol. The analysis shows a stark contrast between off-peak and peak hours. During off-peak hours (10:00p.m–5:59a.m), 70% of driver fatalities with a toxicology result available had a positive toxicology for alcohol, compared to 21% during peak times. Minister Canney said: 'These figures are deeply concerning. They show a consistent pattern of people taking deadly risks by driving under the influence, especially at night. 'My message this weekend is simple – never, ever drink and drive. It's not worth the risk to your life or anyone else's. I urge everyone to act responsibly and make safe choices on our roads.' Director of partnerships and external affairs at the RSA, Sarah O'Connor echoed the call: 'These statistics highlight the importance of targeted enforcement during off-peak hours to detect and remove intoxicated drivers from our roads. 'Combining this with education and awareness initiatives that focus on the dangers of drink-driving – especially late at night – is critical to saving lives.' Chief superintendent David Harrington of the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau said: 'Driving under the influence of an intoxicant, whether alcohol or drugs, is illegal and not only impairs your driving performance but removes your capacity to drive safely. 'Some people may take the risk of driving under influence because they believe they won't encounter gardaí on the road to detect them, but the reality is that we are on the roads conducting checkpoints and are called to the scene of every one of the fatal or serious injury collisions caused by a driver that has been drinking. 'You can avoid putting your life and the lives of others at such high risk if you heed our advice to not consume alcohol or drugs if you know you are getting into a car to drive,' the garda chief added. RSA appeal The RSA appeal coincides with the upcoming launch of a new RSA advertising campaign that addresses social acceptability of drink-driving. The TV-led campaign will go live on June 11, and calls on the public to protect their friends, and other road users, by ensuring their friends don't get behind the wheel after drinking. The RSA is also reminding the public that the summertime period typically sees an increase in cyclist and motorcyclist casualties. Road users are encouraged to slow down, expect the unexpected, and be especially mindful of vulnerable road users. With large crowds expected to travel to events like Bloom in Phoenix Park, Dublin, and BikeFest in Killarney over the Bank Holiday Weekend, drivers are reminded to stay alert, avoid distractions, and share the road responsibly. To help fight driver fatigue, the RSA, in partnership with Applegreen, will also be offering free coffee to drivers at participating service stations from 2:00p.m to 8:00p.m on Friday, May 30 and Monday, June 2. Motorists simply need to mention 'RSA' at the till to avail of the offer.
BreakingNews.ie
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- BreakingNews.ie
RSA launches action plan to cut driving test waiting times
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has launched an action plan aimed at reducing driving test waiting times nationwide. The Government has tasked the RSA with reducing this to the target of 10 weeks. Advertisement The plan sets out actions to bring the average waiting time down from 27 weeks to 10 weeks by early September 2025. This urgent response comes amid unprecedented demand for driving tests, with 100,000 in the backlog/waiting to be tested, the RSA said. Key measures now underway to boost testing capacity include: Accelerated training of new testers through the use of additional training facilities and a revised approach to training enabling early deployment of new testers to centres; Expanded testing hours, including overtime for weekday evenings, Saturdays, and bank holidays - with tests running from 07:25am to 7pm; Targeted manual intervention in the booking system to ensure invitations are issued to areas of greatest demand to ensure more efficient slot allocation; To further alleviate pressure, new driving test centres will open in key areas bringing the national total to 60 centres. As directed by Minister of State at the Department of Transport Séan Canney, the RSA is also currently examining and appraising contingency measures, both internally and externally as further options to deal with any potential future surges in demand for driving tests. Chief executive officer at the RSA, Sam Waide, said: 'We know how frustrating and disruptive these delays are - especially for people who need a licence for work, college, or caring responsibilities. I want to offer a sincere apology to everyone who has been affected. Advertisement "Our team has developed a focused, projection-based plan to improve availability and reduce wait times. Every part of the system is being mobilised to deliver for the public. The RSA will publish progress updates every fortnight via its website to ensure full transparency and public awareness as the plan advances 'We're asking customers to support the effort by cancelling early if they cannot attend, so that appointments can be offered to others. "Every cancelled slot that's re-used helps us reduce the backlog faster. Also, we're urging customers to ensure they prepared for their test as over 4,000 tests so far this year couldn't be conducted for reasons such as vehicles without a valid NCT, Tax, Insurance or not deemed roadworthy.'
