Motorcyclists urge road users to stay sober over festive seasons and Bank Holiday Weekends.
Ireland's representative organisation for motorcyclists is asking all road users to continue to avoid drink-driving when Bank Holiday's end.
"Drink-driving campaigns are not just for Christmas." says Motorcyclists' Action Group (MAG) Safety Officer, David French. "Vulnerable road users such as bicyclists and motorcyclists suffer when drink-driving is seen only as a seasonal issue".
"High profile campaigns traditionally target the Christmas season but for motorcyclists and bicyclists this is largely 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 message during the main motorcycling season. Vulnerable vehicles such as motorcycles and bicycles are used much more in the summer than in the winter months, but the public safety announcements concentrate on the time when these vehicles are least likely to be used.
The Easter Bank Holiday weekend, with improving weather conditions may prompt many motorcyclists to get back on the road after the long winter.
In addition, international research suggests that anti 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."