TD uses Dáil time to call for mandatory high-vis for people cycling and for walking where there’s no footpaths

Calls to make high-visibility mandatory happen every year, especially around the darker months of the year and often by TDs, and the first national seasonal call was made in early October by an outgoing TD in the Dáil.

The issue of high-vis is usually raised at the national level by way of written parliamentary questions, but, in October, it was brought up in a Dáil debate on policy or legislation.

Many road safety campaigns have said that the focus on high-vis is misdirected. The research on high-vis is mixed, but while there are some studies which outline that it makes people more visible, other studies have poured cold water on the idea that the apparent extra visibility has any safety effect.

For example, research from the UK shows high-vis on people cycling has little effect on the passing distance which motorists allow between them and a bicycle, and researchers found no real change in crash rates after Italy introduced mandatory high-vis for cyclists outside of urban areas.

The study from Italy “showed that the implementation of legislation imposing high-visibility clothing for cyclists did not affect the number nor the proportion of bicycles involved in road crashes. The legislation did not result in significant immediate and prolonged effects in bicycle safety.”

In the Dáil, Galway West TD Éamon Ó Cuív (Fianna Fail) said: “With the days getting shorter and the dark evenings getting longer, and with the clocks due to change in a few weeks, does the Minister agree that visibility for road users, particularly vulnerable road users, is important?”

“My question has two parts. Has consideration been given to making it mandatory for cyclists to wear high-visibility jackets of some type after sunset?” he said.

Deputy Ó Cuív said: “They are of great assistance in terms of visibility to other road users, including other cyclists and pedestrians as well as motorists. In areas where there are no footpaths or streetlights, which is the case in large parts of the country, will the Government consider making it mandatory for people walking on roads without footpaths and with no streetlights to wear a high-visibility jacket?”

“That would be a protection for vulnerable road users. It is important that we all help each other,” he said.

Deputy Ó Cuív added: “My view is that it is a bit like helmets in hurling. When they were introduced, there was a bit of resistance and people said they were unnecessary. No kid would now think of going out on a hurling pitch without a helmet. It is just a part of what they do.”

Minister for Finance Minister Jack Chambers (Fianna Fail), who was recently Minister for State for transport, repeated the often-repeated Government position that they recommend high-vis but will not make it mandatory.

He said: “I thank the Deputy. The area of ​​road safety is one over which I previously had responsibility. I know the Minister of State, Deputy Lawless, and the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, are putting intensive work into supporting a lot of road safety policy areas. That is being advanced in the context of the road traffic legislation this year and other reforms intended to support pedestrians and cyclists in communities across our country.”

“The Road Safety Authority encourages the use of high-visibility clothing for pedestrians and cyclists , particularly in darker winter conditions, which can significantly improve visibility and play a part in creating a safer environment on our roads. It is something that is encouraged and there is wider educational engagement for pedestrians,” said Minister Chambers.

He added: “There are, however, no plans to legislate to make such clothing compulsory.”