Date: 1 March 2021
Green Party TDs Brian Leddin and Steven Matthews have welcomed correspondence that outlined there will be a new public information campaign launched in the coming weeks by the Road Safety Authority, titled ‘If you don’t move, neither can we’, designed to encourage people not to park their cars on footpaths and cycle lanes.
The joint campaign between the Road Safety Authority and the National Roads Policing Unit of An Garda Síochána will highlight the effect that illegal parking can have on vulnerable road users. This includes wheelchair users, people with buggies and cyclists who are forced into the main road by careless drivers, where they are put at unnecessary risk from passing traffic.
The campaign is being launched following correspondence between Deputies Steven Matthews and Brian Leddin with the Road Safety Authority, following Deputy Matthews’ remarks to RSA chair Liz O’Donnell at the Oireachtas Transport committee before Christmas.
Discussing the news, Deputy Matthews said:
“With a greater number of people walking and cycling than ever before and some great work being done by our local authorities in providing new cycleways and walking routes, I suggested that a publicity campaign would help to highlight how parking on footpaths can undo that good work and put vulnerable road users at risk”.
“I am delighted that the RSA have acknowledged the problem and are willing to engage in a publicity campaign to highlight the road safety hazards created by cars blocking footpaths and cycle lanes. I’m looking forward to the campaign launch by the RSA and would like to thank Liz O’Donnell and all those involved in working to make this awareness campaign happen. This isn’t about vilifying drivers; it’s about encouraging a simple change in behaviour that will make the roads safer for all users”, concluded Deputy Matthews.
“It is appropriate that this information comes on World Wheelchair Day because parking on footpaths particularly affects wheelchair users. Since being elected to the Dáil I have been working with Steven on this and I’m delighted that we’re seeing some progress.”, said Brian Leddin, TD for Limerick City. “It is always better to park fully on the roadway, rather than restricting the space for pedestrians, people with impaired mobility and other vulnerable road users. This also has the benefit of slowing down traffic, especially in residential areas. I’m hopeful this campaign will have a positive effect on behaviour, and we will see our footpaths and cycle lanes free for people to use, concluded Deputy Leddin.
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