KENNY URGES CAUTION AROUND LUAS LINES AND TRAMS

Posted on December 11, 2013 2:25 PM   |   Permanent Link   

Labour TD and member of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Sean Kenny, has said that road users need be careful around Luas lines and Luas trams, particularly in Dublin city centre, adding that the RPA and Veolia need to do more to make the Red Line safer.

"In 2012, there were 22 incidents that involved the Luas and 18 of those were on the Red Line. 2013 has been worse - there have been 36 incidents and 32 of these were on the Red Line, and I have called attention to some of these in the past, particularly in relation to incidents along the Abbey Street area. I would be concerned that incidents like this will increase in the coming years as the new Luas link is built. I believe that the RPA and Veolia need to do more to make road users aware of their proximity to Luas lines and I think this can be done by the use of bollards and increased numbers of road signs."

"I am also concerned that road users are not giving enough due care and attention around Luas lines and Luas trams. The reality is that roads where the Luas is operating are not like other parts of the road network, and while I know that the vast majority of road users are very careful, they need to exercise an even higher level of care in areas where the Luas is operating."

"Drivers need to be aware that while it might make sense sometimes to go through an orange light, this is never a good idea when a Luas line is close at hand. You may need to stop suddenly, or else a Luas may have been given a signal to proceed given that your road signal is changing. It is far more sensible to take precautions and stop. Also, you should never stop on a Luas line if it can be helped, whether you are moving across the line, or whether you are travelling in the same direction."

"Cyclists need to follow the same advice as drivers, but they also need to be aware there is a risk that their tyres can become trapped in the Luas rails, so they need to be very careful not to cycle on them, and should avoid cycling in Luas lanes altogether. Cyclists also need to be aware that they are simply not visible in darkness if they are not wearing high visibility clothing, and if their bicycle is not fitted with lights."

"Road users and the Luas service itself all need to be more careful, and to remember that nobody owns the road. Others are on the road too, and greater awareness needs to be paid by everyone - drivers, cyclists and Luas operators."