16/12/2003 Immediate Release
Kildare Bypass Barriers pose Lethal Threat to Motorcyclists
The design of the crash barriers installed on the newly opened stretch of
the M7 bypassing Kildare town is a potentially life-threatening hazard to
motorcyclists who use the new road says MAG Ireland, the body representing
Ireland’s 40,000 motorcycle, scooter and moped users.
"The use of wire cable type safety fencing for safety barriers is totally
unacceptable in terms of the danger posed to motorcyclists in collision with
them", said MAG Ireland Campaigns Officer Karen Kiely. "This type
of barrier is known as a human scale "cheese cutter" and has been
identified by the Federation of European Motorcyclists Associations (FEMA)
as the worst possible choice from a motorcyclist’s perspective in a recent
report supported by the European Commission. Not only is contact with the
cables a serious danger to a fallen motorcyclist but the "point impact"
which occurs when a victim collides with the type of post which support the
cables has been shown to cause very serious head injuries.
To install a barrier which could pose a greater danger to users of the new
motorway than the hazard it is intend to protect them from defies logic. If
Minister Brennan is sincere about reducing the numbers of motorcyclists killed
and seriously injured on our roads he should immediately call for this barrier
to be replaced with a more motorcycle-friendly alternative. To do nothing
is effectively to say that the safety of drivers of cars and lorries is more
valuable than the lives of motorcycle riders.
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
Linda O'Loideoin Road Safety Spokesperson
roadrunner@magireland.org
MAG Ireland
1b Ring Terrace
Inchicore
Dublin 8
Republic of Ireland