General
Drivers Play Sick Game
By Noel Gibbons
2, Oct 2009 - 17:52

Road Safety professionals want to highlight the growing problem of drivers playing a deadly game of "chicken" when passing out cars, they drive their cars straight at oncoming cars forcing them to move into the hard shoulder. Another dangerous practice is that of aggressive drivers driving too close to the car in front of them - tail-gating them in order to intimidate them to pull over or speed up.

Other road users fear someone will be killed unless these "aggressive " drivers are stopped.
Road safety officer Mr Noel Gibbons said "A small minority are using the road very irresponsibly and risking the safety of other road users, we need to make this behaviour socialably unacceptable, don’t personally challenge these drivers instead report them to the Gardai."

One concerned motorist said: "How would you feel to see a car coming towards you on your side of the road?, It's like a sick game of chicken, and they're risking their own lives as well as other peoples'. These people must know what they are doing is dangerous. I have witnessed this behaviour on the road  several times, they should have the book thrown at them."

What can we do to help alleviate the problem?
Personally, don't become part of the problem,
Don't personalise or challenge these drivers and
Report aggressive driving behaviour.

An Garda Siochana have a system that motorists can use to report dangerous driving. If you have a Mobile phone in your vehicle, keep the number (1890 205 805) handy when you see a driver operating a vehicle in a threatening manner, stop your vehicle in a safe place and make the call.

Make sure you get a vehicle description, registration number, the location, and direction of travel. You could prevent a tragedy. Be a courteous driver yourself. Everyone has the power to set an example, and this will help make our roadways safer. Use that power.

Motorists shouldn't be pressured and harassed by other law-breaking motorists into doing the same.

Motorists are been advised to ask themselves the question before they undertake any manoeuvre on the road three questions

1.      Is this manoeuvre Legal?
2.      Is this manoeuvre Safe?
3.      Is this manoeuvre Necessary?

Garda Superintendent William Keaveney, based at Castlebar Garda Station said: "Most fatal crashes stem from decisions or actions made by the driver. Drivers need to remember that driving safely is literally in their hands and drivers need to think of the safety of other road users as well as their own. If not they will face the full rigours of the law. We want to prevent the loss of life and serious injury."



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