12 new Irish sign-ups to European Road Safety Charter event in Dublin
19 May 2010
 | National Charter Tour

A European Road Safety Charter presentation and signing event was held on 19 May 2010 in Dublin, in conjunction with the Department of Transport and the European Commission’s services for Mobility (MOVE). 12 Irish entities, including companies, institutions and associations, signed commitments to help save lives on the national roads.
 
The signing ceremony took place in the presence of the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Emer Costello, the Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey, T.D, and Mr Martin Territt, Head of Representation of the European Commission in Ireland.
 
Martine Aitken, European Road Safety Charter Project Coordinator, welcomed the new signatories in the European Charter family and underlined the importance of continuing with the proper road safety measures in order to maintain Ireland at the high level of traffic safety: “The complexity of the actions you have proposed in your commitment texts will insure a better traffic conditions in Ireland”.
 
Minister Dempsey said: “Today's event enables business and local authorities, NGOs and lobby groups, to make a public commitment to continue reducing deaths on our roads, particularly amongst younger drivers. Ireland can be proud of its record in reducing road deaths. Since 2005, road fatalities have fallen by 42%. However, even one death is one too many. I congratulate the organisations here today for their sense of civic and professional responsibility and wish you success with your individual road safety action plans.”
 
Lord Mayor Costello said: “Dublin’s membership of the European Road Safety Charter is a cornerstone of our commitment to providing a safe environment for all road users. In renewing our commitment today we can look back on the progress we have made and signal our immediate road safety objectives.”
 
Martin Territt, Director of the European Commission Representation in Ireland said: “The most recent EU figures show a great improvement in road safety for Ireland. Road safety is no accident – studies across Europe show us that strict enforcement of the rules really works.”
 
Each organisation signed the European Road safety Charter with a three year commitment plan.
 
The new signatories are: CART- Cavan Area Rural Transport, Community Transport Association of Ireland, Dún Laoghaire - Rathdown County Council, ECO Unesco, Headway Ireland, Irish Medical Organisation, Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA), Metroplex Ireland Ltd., Shell E&P Ireland Limited (SEPIL), The Irish Insurance Federation IIF, Vantastic, World Rally Team, Ireland.
 
The renewed signatories are: AA Ireland, Dublin City Council, Road Safety Authority.

Ireland  | 19 May 2010