Safety while walking appeal

A plea for people out walking in the evenings to stay within lit areas if possible has been made by Kildare County Council's Road Safety Officer, writes Brian Byrne.

Declan Keogh was speaking to the Diary within the context of the new Council Walking and Cycling Road Show initiative to encourage people to take a more active attitude to sustainable mobility, but he took the opportunity to reinforce the safety message.

"At this time of the year especially, when people are thinking of more healthy activity, you see people in Kilcullen or Naas, for instance, out walking on the outskirts of town or on rural roads. We're trying to get them away from that, and prefer them to walk in lit areas."

But where this is not possible, Declan urges people walking in unlit areas and with no footpaths to wear high-viz clothing and carry a torch. "They should be mindful that even though they are wearing high-viz they are not necessarily safe. Walkers and cyclists, and motorists, collectively have a shared responsibility to safety."

He asks motorist to be more alert when they are driving at night time and be aware that they may come across walkers and cyclists suddenly.

The Walking and Cycling Road show is visiting areas around the county over coming months, as well as schools at drop off and pick up times, to reinforce both the sustainability and the safety messages.

Photographs use Policy — Privacy Policy