18/07/2002 Immediate Release

Dublin Corporation "Lights On Daytime" Campaign Ill Advised says
Motorcyclists Action Group

Dublin Corporation's Lights on Daytime campaign, launched yesterday is
both ill advised and badly timed, says MAG Ireland's National
Campaigns Officer, Karen Kiely.

The campaign is intended to encourage the use of dipped headlights by
motorists during daylight hours (known as Daytime Running Lights -
DRLs) to reduce road accidents. MAG Ireland, representing the
interests of Ireland's 30,000 motorcycle, moped and scooter users
believes that the use of DRLs by all motorists will do little to
improve road safety for motorcyclists, pedestrians and cyclists and
may actually increase the dangers faced by these vulnerable road
users.

"MAG Ireland campaigned successfully against the introduction of
mandatory DRLs at European level recently, with the European
Commission agreeing with us that the case for Daytime Running Lights
as a measure to reduce accidents was unproven and has since
commissioned a study into the impact of motorists using dipped
headlights during daylight hours on the relative conspicuity of
vulnerable road users such as motorcylists, cyclists and pedestrians.

Several countries that were initially favourable to the use of DRL,
such as Austria, France, Israel and Australia have since reconsidered
their position in the light of actual experience. Over fifty daytime
lights studies have been conducted in different countries over the
past thirty years and despite this, the contribution of DRL to
accident reduction remains unproven.

The timing of Dublin Corporation's pilot scheme is also questionable.
The use of DRL during the time of year with most daylight hours and
with the most favourable driving conditions will not give an accurate
assessment of the effects of this measure on road safety. The validity
of any data gathered from this campaign will therefore be compromised
and of little worth."

ENDS

Background:

MAG Ireland (Irish Motorcyclist's Action Group) was set up in 1985 and
represents the interests of Ireland's 30,000 motorcyclists,scooterists
and moped users.

Areas tackled by MAG Ireland include road safety, training, road
conditions, technical harmonisation, tax issues, consumer issues
affecting riders, licensing 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 call

Karen Kiely, National Campaigns Officer

MAG Ireland Head Office: 01 4530797