04/09/2003 Immediate Release

Loose Chippings pose serious Hazard to Motorcyclists

Once again, the summer months have been blighted by the hazards posed to
motorcyclists and to other road users from the practice of allowing traffic
to "bed in" stone chippings spread over tar when resurfacing roads.

Motorcycles are particularly vulnerable to changes in road conditions and
the type of unstable surface encountered when stone chippings are spread
onto roads and the excess is not removed by county councils is causing a
serious hazard to this vulnerable group of road users.

"Inadequate signposting and lack of advance warning when this hazard is
imminent is further adding to the problems faced by motorcyclists, who are
particularly at risk when attempting to brake or alter course to avoid deep
gravel on the road surface. Motorcyclists are also at risk of injury from
stone chippings thrown up by other vehicles. The majority of the signage
used by county councils to warn of loose chippings is of non-reflective
type and is completely ineffectual at night," said Karen Kiely, MAG
Ireland's National Campaigns Officer. "The summer months are when we see
the greatest numbers of motorcyclists on the road and unfortunately, this
same period sees the most of this resurfacing work carried out.

MAG Ireland calls on county councils nationwide to ensure that stone
chippings are properly rolled in and the excess removed promptly when
resurfacing roads and for more effective signposting of these roadworks.
The dangers posed to motorcyclists and to other road users when resurfacing
work is not properly completed are unacceptable and unnecessary."

If motorcyclists have encountered a hazard that they wish to report to
their County Council, MAG Ireland's Hazard Report Form is available online
at www.magireland.org/postroad.htm.

ENDS

Background:

MAG Ireland (Irish Motorcyclist's Action Group) was set up in 1985 and
represents the interests of Ireland's 40,000 motorcyclists, scooterists and
moped users.

Areas tackled by MAG Ireland include road safety, training, road
conditions, technical harmonisation, tax issues, consumer issues affecting
riders, licencing and insurance.

MAG Ireland offers a wide range of benefits to its membership of over four
thousand riders including discounts at many retail outlets and events, a
subscription to Ireland's

largest circulation motorcyclist magazine, a health insurance scheme and
information service.

For further information contact

Karen Kiely
National Campaigns Officer
+ 353 1 453 07 97
campaigns@magireland.org
MAG Ireland
1b Ring Terrace
Inchicore
Dublin 8
Republic of Ireland