Reckless driving is common on Irish roads, study reveals

A new study into road safety in Ireland, which consisted of research with 1,000 adults, found that the vast majority of the public (81%) witnessed reckless driving over the past year.

The research, which was commissioned by Geotab Inc, a global leader in connected transportation solutions, and undertaken by RED C Research, examined the attitudes of Irish road users to driving behaviour and potential measures that could be introduced to boost road safety. The study forms part of a broader strategy by Geotab to help commercial fleet owners improve driving standards through data-led insights and to also showcase international initiatives like London’s Direct Vision Standard which is designed to reduce the risk of heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) to pedestrians and cyclists.

The Geotab study found that the Irish public believe that improving road safety requires a combination of increased enforcement, a more stringent attitude to smartphone usage and use of technology. As part of the research, participants were asked for a range of recommendations, with the top five measures called for listed as follows:

• Almost six in ten adults (56%) called for increased numbers of Gardai in the Traffic Corps;

• Approximately half (49%) of the public believe that there should be increased numbers of speed cameras on roads;

• Around half (49%) of adults believe that there should be mandatory use of video technology in all commercial fleets consisting of light commercial vehicles (LGVs) or HGVs that detects illegal behaviour such as mobile phone usage by drivers;

• Just over two-fifths (43%) of the public is calling for increased rollout of average speed camera enforcement systems;

• Around four in ten (42%) adults think companies should introduce policies that bar their staff taking part in virtual meetings where one of the participants is driving.

As part of the study, participants highlighted a range of dangerous behaviour or moments when they felt unsafe in the vicinity of HGVs or LGVs over the past year. Members of the public reported the following for HGVs:

• Over a quarter (28%) of the public had seen a truck driver using a mobile phone while driving or idling in traffic;

• One in five (20%) felt unsafe with a HGV travelling too closely behind their vehicle;

• A fifth (20%) witnessed a lorry speeding;

• Almost one in five (16%) witnessed a HGV driver eating or drinking at the wheel.

Commenting on the research study, Phil Barnes, Geotab Business Development Manager - Ireland & UK, said: “The decisions drivers make on the road don’t only affect them, but countless others including passengers, pedestrians, cyclists and fellow motorists. Unfortunately, as the collision statistics tragically demonstrate, road safety standards in Ireland appear to have taken a step back since the pandemic. Our research clearly highlights that poor driver behaviour is commonplace and that the public is looking for a range of improvements to make roads safer. It’s important to note that this isn’t just about enforcement, it’s also about having a culture where we do not turn a blind eye to things like drivers using smartphones, as well as taking advantage of new video and AI developments to improve safety standards."