Meanwhile on the Roads...

Macy0161 · 03-11-2025 10:20AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123958314#Comment_123958314

DJ gets the break…

Red Silurian · 03-11-2025 10:45AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123956737#Comment_123956737

I'm probably going to get into trouble for this one but what sticks out to me most is this line

So far this year 148 people have died on Irish roads.

Considering the lack of enforcement of drink driving, the recklessness seen develop over the last few years during morning and evening rush hours and the overall increase in cars on our road that's actually not too bad a figure. In 2005 for example almost 400 people lost their lives on our roads

Seth Brundle · 03-11-2025 10:54AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123958408#Comment_123958408

I wouldn't assume that drink driving was the major factor in those deaths.
Since 2005 we've had several motorways opened meaning that a lot of traffic wasn't requiring overtaking on the other side of the road (into oncoming traffic).
The past two decades have also seen a significant culture shift away from drink driving to the point it became socially unacceptable.
In that time period, you've also seen a massive reduction in the numbers walking along rural roads and in the numbers of people cycling so just because vulnerable road users have effectively removed themselves from potentially dangerous encounters does not mean that the roads are safer.

However, point taken - despite the absence of any meaningful enforcement, the numbers are way down on where they were just twenty years ago.

CramCycle · 03-11-2025 11:12AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123958231#Comment_123958231

Indeed, so annoyed were some drivers that I was cycling on the N7 (with a tail wind and actually as fast as traffic but in the hard shoulder) that I got beeped at and noted several people recording me. Considering I've never seen the video I presume they went into private WhatsApp groups to give out about cyclists.

magicbastarder · 03-11-2025 11:22AM

or onto 'specialist' websites.

Red Silurian · 03-11-2025 11:58AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123958441#Comment_123958441

I wouldn't assume that drink driving was the major factor in those deaths.

I would speculatively say that one of those stories screams drink driving to me the other ones are much more unlikely but all are possibilities. The culture shift away from drink-driving isn't seen as much when you leave the big cities and certainly 1 per hour is a lot

https://www.thejournal.ie/drink-drug-driving-arrests-garda-recruitment-justice-committee-drew-harris-6728288-Jun2025/

I'd argue that we have had meaningful enforcement of speed with the use of speed vans and the fixed speed cameras like on the M7 but I'd also like to see the punishments being more complex. For example, anybody who is caught speeding should also be forced to give up one of their Saturdays to do driving school

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123958502#Comment_123958502

I love arguing with these people in fairness, it's a national road, not a motorway! The N7 is one that I personally wouldn't cycle on but I reserve the right to do so

Macy0161 · 03-11-2025 01:03PM

In that time period, you've also seen a massive reduction in the numbers walking along rural roads and in the numbers of people cycling so just because vulnerable road users have effectively removed themselves from potentially dangerous encounters does not mean that the roads are safer.

I think this is a massive factor, and a massive failure. I walked the 500m to the footpath from my house yesterday, and frankly would be hard to recommend it. If you think close passes are bad on the bike, the complete distain people walking are given in terms of slowing down, indicating and giving space to puts it in the hapenny place. I really couldn't blame people for not walking regional roads.

LeoD · 03-11-2025 01:25PM

The biggest cause of road death reduction are the safety system improvements within cars and the use of seat belts. In the late 70's we were having over 600 road deaths per year and around 80,000 new car registrations - last year we had 120,000 new cars and 174 deaths. Anyone old enough to remember crashes from 40 years ago would remember the common sight of glass all over the roads as windows shattered completely on impact with driver's and passenger's heads as they were flung about the place - regularly ending up a long distance from the vehicle. Nowadays people regularly walk away from collisions that years ago would have caused death or at least serious injury. I remember many years ago my aunt describing to my mother the serious injuries to the head and face a neighbour of her's received after she was flung from the back seat of the car into the rear view mirror - I was about 10 at the time I over heard this - nightmare stuff!

CramCycle · 03-11-2025 01:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123958524#Comment_123958524

CramCycles OnlyFans delivers exactly what you expect for more than it's worth

Seth Brundle · 03-11-2025 02:11PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123959057#Comment_123959057

Large bottle small glass · 03-11-2025 02:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123950168#Comment_123950168

https://www.irishtimes.com/crime-law/courts/2025/11/03/former-kilkenny-hurler-dj-carey-jailed-for-five-and-a-half-years-for-reprehensible-fraud/

two myths busted in one decision

TerrieBootson · 03-11-2025 02:45PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123958858#Comment_123958858

I live rural, and the proportion of people walking that walk on the wrong side of the road is about half. Imagine you are driving, and a car is coming against you in the dark, with a pedestrian on the wrong side….

Seth Brundle · 03-11-2025 02:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123959220#Comment_123959220

Given the pace at which a pedestrian is walking, it shouldn't really matter what direction they're walking when you pass them.

However, as you yourself are telling us, you know they are possibly going to be there so when you are driving and another car is passing by you, make sure you can see ahead - if you can't see what's ahead then slow TF down.

TerrieBootson · 03-11-2025 03:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123959244#Comment_123959244

The direction matters be cause the pedestrian can see and avoid a car coming towards them.

Seth Brundle · 03-11-2025 03:22PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123959301#Comment_123959301

So you're confirming that you think the onus for proper road safety is on the pedestrian rather than on the passing driver (and I'm really not trying to sound like AJR here)?
Like I said, it should make no difference to you (as a driver) when you pass them what direction they're going. Your driving style should not necessitate them to get out of your way.

Macy0161 · 03-11-2025 03:26PM

They shouldn't have to avoid the car coming towards them - the car should stop if it can't overtake safely.

Anyway, always the VRU fault when living in motordom - couldn't possibly be driver behaviour, and especially not if it involves costing precious seconds.

CramCycle · 03-11-2025 04:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123959220#Comment_123959220

While I agree that people should walk on the correct side fo the road for a variety of reasons, this does not change the fact that any other road users actions should not be affected by this. You slow, you stop if required, and overtake when safe to do so. It is the reason that many parents will advise kids to cross to the wrong side of the road when coming around a bend because they know that a lot of cars are not travelling at a speed that they can stop in the distance they see to be clear ahead when on a bend.

So take your account into your scenario, a pedestrian is walking away from me as I drive, at night time. There is an opposing car. Well, I slow down, and if necessary stop until the opposing car has passed by, then I overtake the pedestrian with a wide berth, then I pull back in. Now if they were walking towards me, I would, checks notes, do the exact same thing.

Also to put it in perspective, those "rules" came about from when we had massive road deaths, drink driving was rampant, lights were sh1te on both handheld lamps and cars, and having to jump into a ditch on the walk home was something that may realistically happen. I still walk on the side opposing traffic for this reason but don't think that these rules give a mitigating circumstance if you run someone over on the drive home at night.

Paddigol · 03-11-2025 04:26PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123958441#Comment_123958441

I'd imagine there are a lot less pedestrians over that period too, year-on-year. Everyone owns a car now. Multi car households are the norm. Kids walk nowhere anymore. So I'd say that could be a factor.

I ran on local roads up to a few years ago - the amount of cars that would see you as they drove towards you but make zero effort to move out, indicate for cars following or reduce their speed was 'disappointing'. I'd make a point of waving thanks to drivers who showed that basic level of courtesy. There were definitely some drivers who would almost go out of their way to force you to step into the ditch… a kind of "I'll teach him a lesson for running on my road" behaviour.

TerrieBootson · 03-11-2025 05:15PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123959512#Comment_123959512

You're absolutely correct.

TerrieBootson · 03-11-2025 05:17PM

You're absolving the pedestrian of any self responsibility. Which is wrong. Sure the driver has an obligation of care, but so does every road user.

cletus · 03-11-2025 05:23PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123959665#Comment_123959665

Would you agree that the obligation of care is much higher on the driver of cars than of the pedestrian?

Seth Brundle · 03-11-2025 05:44PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123959665#Comment_123959665

Firstly, the advice about pedestrians walking towards traffic is merely advice and wouldn't be advisable in all scenarios e.g. on a blind bend it would be better to walk on the outside of rhe bend. As it cant be universally applied, the advice isn't law - there is no real right side of the road for pedestrians AFAIK.

Secondly, when you meet a pedestrian walking on the "wrong side" you have no idea of their travel movements - for alm you kkow rhey dropped somethjbg and turned back to pick it up.

Anyhow, nobody is absolving the pedestrian of their duty of care but you cannot place the same burden of responsibility on a pedestrian strolling along as you would on someone driving a large heavy object at a much faster speed.

zell12 · 03-11-2025 06:48PM

Most unclear headline Indo

TerrieBootson · 03-11-2025 07:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123959686#Comment_123959686

Absolutely

Wildly Boaring · 03-11-2025 10:57PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123959540#Comment_123959540

Yep

Did a lot of toad running in my time. (Meep)

There are a worrying amount of drivers who dont deviate at all to pass a pedestrian.

After getting more and more annoyed, I even starting tapping the wing mirrors of offenders.

(Some get very annoyed at this, but seem to have to qualms about hitting someone?)

In the end I just " took the road"

I got very belligerent, ran about 3 or 4 feet into the carriageway and didn't move in for anyone.

Took the joy out of it. But did stop the stupidity.

Now i just plan to stick to lanes and very quiet roads. Or just footpaths!

Macy0161 · 04-11-2025 09:31AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123959665#Comment_123959665

We're discussing people walking on the road - not jumping out in front of cars ffs.

Wildly Boaring · 04-11-2025 10:11AM

Somehow certain swaths of the driving population have got into their heads that pedestrians should jump into a ditch so that they don't need to slow down.

It's laughable really. "Self Responsibility"?

When walking I like to face traffic as I just don't trust the crappy drivers. But they've got all the responsibility unless I need/decide to run across the road.