Older people in Ireland are being encouraged to become more road safety conscious thanks to a new initiative announced by the Road Safety Authority today.
In a bid to cut the number of pedestrian deaths on Ireland's roads, the RSA, in conjunction with Age Action Ireland and the Irish Pharmacy Union, plans to distribute 200,000 high-visibility vests in 1,600 pharmacies across the country.
Speaking at the launch of the scheme, RSA chairman Gay Byrne expressed his concern at the rate of deaths of older pedestrians. Between 1997 and 2007 over 30 per cent of walkers who died on the roads were over 65.
However, Mr Byrne also noted the recent Government cuts in spending for the RSA.
"We were doing extraordinarily well," he said, when referring to the organisation's campaign to cut road deaths, "but until six weeks ago [with the budget] money has been declining."
Mr Byrne also said that he has been in talks with the Department of Transport about this matter, but added that he has not yet received an adequate response, saying: "There's no sense of urgency with the civil service."
Despite this, chief executive of the RSA Noel Brett was more complimentary of the Government, adding how he was "grateful" to Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey's support for the current promotion.
The high visibility vests are available now from pharmacies free of charge to members of the public.