Switched On!

Brought to you by ESB Safe Driving Bureau

ESB Safe Driving Bureau Needs Your Help! In March, ESB Safe Driving Bureau will be conducting a transport census to develop a picture of staff business travel and private commuting patterns. The census, which is being undertaken and analysed by an external company, will be used to explore and benchmark areas like: commuting and modes of transport, driving habits, driving on business and driving outside of Ireland. The census will also attempt to gain an insight into the level of road risk faced by private drivers.

Findings from the research will be used to develop a number of safety programmes and initiatives for staff on the road – whether you travel on business or privately, and whether you travel by car, fleet vehicle, motorcycle or bicycle.

More info to follow next month on how you can participate!

Switch-on during daylight hours

Get turned on with a New Year's Resolution that's easy to keep! Call for "lights on" How many resolutions have you made and broken so far this 2006?

There's the resolution to get fit, quit smoking, get slim and stay healthy. So many promises that are just so hard to keep!

Well here's a suggested resolution from RAC School of Motoring, Rathmines, that is easy to keep and will save a life.
"Daytime running lights!"

Ailbhe Sharp is Manager of the RAC School of Motoring in Rathmines, Dublin. "The safety bodies have done a good job getting the message across to pedestrians to be seen on the roads by wearing appropriate clothing. However, we believe that the appalling carnage on our roads could be reduced by motorists taking this small step of always driving with their lights on–day and night."

The issue of visibility is a leading contributing cause of the high number of collisions in Ireland. Poor lighting outside of built-up areas and bad road conditions compound this problem.

ESB Safe Driving also encourages drivers to "switch-on" during daylight hours. "It's fast approaching the 1st anniversary of the launch of ESB'S Daytime Running Lights policy, which encourages drivers of private vehicles to switch on headlights and staff driving fleet vehicles to use dipped or side lights while out and about during the day," commented Linda Ryan, Communications Officer, ESB Safe Driving Bureau. "Driving with lights on is of particular importance when weather conditions demand it. Without question, drivers should switch on their lights in falling rain, snow or misty conditions. Even using daytime running lights when overtaking on a fine day can often make you that bit more visible in low winter sun!"

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