It is entirely unacceptable for either of you to suggest that the carnage on our roads results from anything other than speeding or drink driving. It has been decreed that all accidents are as a result of these two factors. No other factors are allowed into the equation.
Can't agree with whoever decreed that. Narcotics, ignorance, over-tiredness, careless driving, and without doubt, the foot-dragging of local authorities are also factors.
As an example of the latter, Larkins Cross in County Wexford was the scene of an absolutely horrendous accident in October 2006 in which a mother and two of her infant children were killed, and two others badly injured. This particular cross is an intersection between the main Wexford/NewRoss road, the N25, which takes most of the heavy traffic from Rosslare Harbour, is close to the entrance to a new "super dump" for the southeast, and main artery between both towns; and a very busy secondary road due to a large petrol station/restaurant, builders providers, garden centre and also used as a main artery to a large village. The traffic-flow layout has been criticised since it's construction, and has been changed once, the second layout more criticised than the first, and completed shortly before the accident. There have been innumerable "small" accidents at Larkin's Cross, long lines of tyre-rubber are common on the road surface.
The Road Authorities and the Wexford County Council were called upon by public representatives, leaders of the local business community and the local press to change the layout as a matter of urgency. The County Council agreed to put lights along the roadside (a half-solution in the first place, but better than nothing).
To date no work has been carried out at Larkins Cross.
Earlier this year the coroners report into the fatal accident severly criticised Wexford County Council for their inaction, and urged them to attend to the problem immediately.
Nothing has been done.
What I don't understand is this. If a careless driver can be prosecuted, and in the case of a fatal accident, imprisoned; why can't there at least be some consequences for those in charge of our roads who ignore critical problems, such as this?
Reading the following links will make your blood boil -
Here's a link to an RTE News report of the accident:
http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/1012/rta.html
Here's a report from October, 2005, a year before the accident -
http://www.wexfordpeople.ie/news/death-trap-roads-discussed-at-meeting-1180552.html
And this, 6 months before the accident -
http://www.wexfordpeople.ie/news/no-traffic-calming-for-larkins-cross-974876.html
Shortly before the accident -
http://www.wexfordpeople.ie/news/eight-taken-to-hospital-after-bus-crash-977190.html
And this a month after the accident
http://www.newrossstandard.ie/sport...ures-at-larkins-cross-are-slammed-535127.html
A year later -
http://www.wexfordpeople.ie/news/no...gic-accident-claimed-three-lives-1202072.html
And this last year
http://www.wexfordpeople.ie/news/lights-for-larkins-crossand--more-improvements-to-come-1087653.html
In the meantime -
http://www.wexfordpeople.ie/news/crash-drivers-escape-with-minor-injuries-697645.html
And the criticism from the Coroner -
http://www.wexfordpeople.ie/front-page/larkins-cross-inquest-anger-1299850.html
Shameful.