1/2/2002 Immediate release

 

Motorcyclists urge road users to stay sober after the festive season

 

Ireland's representative organisation for motorcyclists is asking all road users to continue to avoid drink-driving now that the Christmas season is over.

"Drink-driving campaigns are not just for Christmas." stated the Motorcyclists' Action Group (MAG) Safety Officer David French, "Vulnerable road users such as bicyclists and motorcyclists suffer when drink-driving is seen as only a seasonal issue".

"High profile campaigns traditionally target the festive season but for motorcyclists and bicyclists this is totally ineffective. Many riders put their vehicles away for the winter and by the time the bikes are out again many people have forgotten the anti drink-drive message for another year".

This means that riders are surrounded by car drivers who may be less aware of the dangers of drink-driving than usual and it also means that the riders themselves do not receive a targetted anti-drink drive messages during the main motorcycling season.

Vulnerable vehicles such as motorcycles and bicycles are used much more in the summer than winter months but the public safety announcements are concentrated on the time when these vehicles are least likely to be used.

In addition international research suggests that drink-drive campaigns aimed specifically at car drivers are not effective on motorcyclists and that specialised campaigns are required.

MAG's spokesperson added "Many riders are young people on their first vehicle. With the number of motorcycles and mopeds in use rising rapidly there are a lot of learners out there and basic road safety messages such as this need to be put across with proper timing".

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, 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 call MAG Campaigns Officer Karen Kiely at the MAG Office (01) 4530797