Tipperary Road Safety Strategy 2022-2030

Foreword

Adopting the international best practice of Vision Zero and the Safe Systems approach to Road Safety sets a very high standard and challenges us to keep Ireland’s road safety standards among the very best in the world.  Vision Zero is a long-term goal aimed at eradicating road traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2050. To prevent fatalities or serious injuries on our roads, we must continue to tackle road safety strategically and collectively. 

This Road Safety Strategy, developed by stakeholders involved in promoting and improving road safety in Tipperary, sets out a collaborative approach to improving road safety in the county in the period up to 2030.  Building on former road safety interventions and strategy, there will be a co-ordinated approach to the delivery of services.  All the actions included come under the 7 Safe System Priority Intervention Areas.

The first part of this Document comprises the Strategy itself for 2022-2030.  Part 2 comprises the Phase 1 Action Plan for 2022-2024.  This Action Plan will be reviewed in 2024/2025 and suitable amendments to the Phase 2 Action Plan for 2025-2027 will be made if necessary.  Part 3 presents a Post-Plan Review of the Tipperary Road Safety Strategy 2018-2020 (extended to 2021).

There are additional forms of transport such as e-scooters and e-bikes which did not exist on our roads until recent years.  Legislation governing the use of e-scooters and e-bikes is currently making its way through the Houses of the Oireachtas in the Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021. We in County Tipperary will have to make provisions for their use in terms of urban road design and consider appropriate measures in our Phase 1 Action Plan.

There are currently more people walking and cycling largely as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic but also to be healthier, more active, and to reduce their carbon emissions.  However, concerns around the safety of active travel remain high and many people continue to be deterred from walking and cycling on our roads.  Developing high-quality walking and cycling facilities and infrastructure under the Tipperary Active Travel Programme will encourage more people to walk and cycle to work and school instead of making the journey by car. 

Road safety is a shared responsibility.  No one form of transport takes primacy over another.   Everyone is entitled to use the road - whether a pedestrian, cyclist, e-scooter user, motorcyclist or motorist - and not have their safety or life put at risk because of the dangerous behaviour of others.  Critical to success will be the level of interaction with all road users, to continue the marked change in personal behaviours and attitudes and to bring about further responsible road user behaviours in order to achieve a safer road environment.  We have a difficult journey ahead, but by adopting strategic, co-ordinated approaches to tackle road safety issues, we will be in the best position to improve outcomes for road safety in Tipperary.