Promoting Awareness Responsibility and Care on our roads

Contact: Susan Gray (Chairperson): susan@parcgroup.ie Tel: 086 377 3784
​               Aisling Reid: 086 4186498
               Cathy Reid: 087 9652194
               Noel Clancy: 087 2378736
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News:

31st December 2016 - Minister Shane Ross supports Deputy Broughan's call for increase in points for mobile phone use. See Irish Times Report..

28th December 2016 - Major problem with non service of speeding summonses
See Irish Independent Report...

21st December 2016 - Clancy family tragedy leads to major change in learner driver law. 

Link to News on Road Traffic Bill 2016.. ​

World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims Sunday 20 November 2016 - 
PARC Road Safety Group has organised a special ceremony to remember all road traffic victims in Loreto Sports Complex, Fermoy, Co Cork on Sunday 20 Nov. at 2pm.  All are welcome.
Picture
17th November  - Yet again Deputy Tommy Broughan reveals shocking facts on speeding and penalty points. Link to Shane Phelan Article, Irish Independent..

15th November 2016 - bereaved family thank PARC for producing 
Finding Your Way guide.
" The Finding Your Way guide was one of the most useful booklets I have used since the tragic death of my sister. The guide has allowed me to understand the meaning of all of the processes that come along with the death of a loved one, in simple Plain English language. This booklet is not just a guide that I have read once, I refer to it on a regular basis. PARC Road Safety Group is one of the most genuine, supportive and understanding group of individuals. They devote themselves to helping grieving families all over Ireland -  families who have lost loved ones through road traffic collisions".  Co.Carlow family

7 November - Letter received from grateful family from Dublin Northside 
 " Finding Your Way has been an excellent guide for our family. It gave us a very good insight following the death of Paul aged 16 due to a traffic collision. In our opinion this booklet should be given to everyone caught up in these circumstances. Forever grateful, Paul's Grandmother, Families, Dublin Northside".

4 November 2016 - Deputy Broughan highlights scandalous Traffic Corps cutbacks. Irish Times article..


2 October 2016: - Seamus Healy TD commends PARC in his Dail speech

29 September 2016 - Dail Speech on the Road Traffic Bill 2016

Link to speech...
Link to video..

28 September 2016 - Tommy Broughan TD welcomes Road Traffic Bill 2016
Link to Broughan's statement..


20 September 2016 - Road campaign wins rights for unborn child
PARC helps man honour memory of his unborn grandchild..
 

Please Support  ‘European Day Without A Road Death’ - Project EDWARD                                                               We in PARC Road Safety Group are proud to support "Project EDWARD" which aims to be a European Day Without A Road Death and takes place on Wednesday, the 21st September 2016. 
"In whatever way we use the roads we can each play our part, a day at a time to ensure that nobody is killed or seriously injured. There is no acceptable number of deaths and injuries on our roads. We are all the loved ones of others." 
Please join us and support Project EDWARD by making an online pledge on
 www.tispol.org/ed

13 September 2016 - Gratitude note from a bereaved family
Susan
I would like to put on public record the huge help PARC Road Safety Group has been to both the Enright and  Walsh families over the last four years.
In 2012 both my daughter Mary and unborn granddaughter Mollie Enright were killed in an RTC. For the last four years I have campaigned to have my granddaughter Mollie recognised as a road traffic victim. THIS HAPPENED IN 2016 WITH THE ROAD STATS FOR 2012 BEING CHANGED FROM 161 TO 162. This is the first time in Ireland and Europe that an unborn child has been registered as a road traffic victim.
Without the huge assistance from PARC this might never have happened.
Thank You
David Walsh
Grand dad to Mollie

8 September 2016 - PARC very much welcomes the changes to the driver theory test from 10 October.             We congratulate the RSA on this initiative. However we would also like to see questions on drug driving - perhaps these will follow legislation on drug driving presently before the Dail in the 2016 Road Traffic Bill.  It is reasonable to state that these changes to the driver theory test will only be effective where we have much greater enforcement of drink and drug driving laws by An Garda Siochana.

30 August 2016 - After PARC's eight year long campaign An Garda Siochana finally waive the fees for copy witness statements provided to bereaved families of RTC victims. This will take effect from 1st January 2017.

PRESS RELEASE - PARC Road Safety Group
Tuesday, 30 August 2016
 
PARC’S EIGHT YEAR CAMPAIGN BEARS FRUIT

PARC welcomes the news that the Garda Commissioner has announced her decision to waiver all fees for abstracts of Garda reports, copies of witness statements and sketches or maps of the scene in respect of a fatal collision for bereaved families. Up to now families had to pay €60 for the Garda Abstract report and €40 of each copy of a witness statement which in some instances could amount to thousands of euro. PARC campaigned since 2008 to have this unjust, insensitive and financial burden to be lifted from the shoulders of grieving families.
We are grateful to the Garda Commissioner for the opportunity to meet with her and her senior officials recently along with the bereaved to explain the pain and difficulties that families have to journey through. We are grateful for her time and empathy and her decision to remove these fees. PARC is happy that the Commissioner has opted for a compassionate approach to this issue.
We thank all those individuals who supported our campaign and stayed with us in our efforts through thick and thin over the past eight years.
 
ENDS - For more information contact Susan Gray Chairperson at 086 3773784
 
www.parcroadsafety.ie  PARC Road Safety Group is a national civil society organisation. It was founded by Susan Gray in 2006 after the death of her husband in a RTC on 27 December 2004 in Donegal. The group is made up of people who have been affected by road traffic collisions and those with an interest in road safety.

​


10 August 2016 -  A tried and tested rehabilitation course is only effective when used in conjunction with the legal penalty related to the charge.
Link to Susan Gray's interview on RTE Drivetime
Link to Donegal Highland Radio news.
Link to Donegal Pro-Social Ireland Oireachtas Presentation ......Where are the research figures to support the claims?

3 August 2016 - Law to allow Garda cars to scan for uninsured drivers must be fast tracked.
Link to Report by Michael Brennan Sunday Business Post
Link to Donegal Highland Radio News today ..

29 July 2016 - "..In Donegal, a few hard truths must be accepted on road safety." Link to Irish Times article today

24 July 2016 - Increase in drivers being disqualified but problems remain with incomplete recording of driver disqualifications.  See report by Michael Brennan " Spike in driving bans under new speeding penalty points regime".

​........................................

July 2016 - Garda Commissioner meets with PARC members of RTC victims.
Statement by PARC Road Safety Group

​Garda Commissioner meets with PARC members of RTC victims.
PARC Road Safety Group had a very satisfactory meeting with Garda Commissioner Noirin O' Sullivan, Deputy Commissioner John Twomey and their team at Garda Headquarters on Friday 15th July. The purpose of the meeting was to allow family members of road traffic collisions who were dissatisfied with their treatment by certain members of An Garda Síochána subsequent to their loved one’s death to be heard.  The Garda Commissioner listened very attentively to the families concerned and directed her team to assist them to ensure that they receive the excellent service from An Garda Síochána that she expects of them. The families were very pleased with the meeting and hope to hear from Garda HQ presently.  We will continue to work closely with Garda Headquarters to resolve any outstanding issues including concerns around road safety.  
​
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18 July 2016 - 
Statement by Tommy Broughan TD: Gardai must reduce fees charged to families bereaved due to Road Traffic Collisions...

30 June 2016 - PARC representatives attend The Policing Authority meeting with the Garda Commissioner today.

​22 June 2016 - Deputy Tommy Broughan raises many road safety issues with Justice Minister in Dáil this week. Transcript of his Dáil Speech ....

Statement following the Policing Authority Meeting with the Garda Commissioner below..
transcript_of_dáil_speech_on_revised_estimates_for_justice_and_equality.docx
File Size: 17 kb
File Type: docx
Download File

A recording of this meeting is available on Youtube click here.

15 June 2016 - The RSA is finalizing a proposal to the Department of Transport recommending that drivers disqualified for drink driving must resit and pass the theory and practical driving test before they are entitled to the return of their driving licence.

​12th June 2016 - Drink drivers may have to resit driving test in the near future

Link to Irish Independent..

30 May 2016 - Poorly conducted Garda investigations and complaints to GSOC

Susan Gray Chairperson of PARC Road Safety Group and Lucia O'Farrell (Victim's mother) speak to Claire Byrne
Link to Claire Byrne Live episode 19..

30 May 2016 - Representatives from PARC met with new Minister for Transport Shane Ross today to discuss road safety issues.

28 May 2016 - Drivers in Inishowen in Donegal tops the list in speeding offences as National Slow Down day concludes!      

• 128km/h in a 80 km/h zone on the R240 at Cashel, Carndonagh, Donegal
• 100km/h in a 80 km/h zone on the R238, Lisfannan, Buncrana, Donegal       
Link to Highland Radio news..                                                                                                                                                                                                               27 May 2016 - Lives will be saved by Garda decision to increase GoSafe camera zones.
As from today there are now 1,031 sections of road identified as speed enforcement zones. The decision for additional camera zones was made following an extensive Garda analysis of road traffic collisions where speed was a contributory factor. The aim is to reduce the number of speed related collisions, save lives and reduce injuries on our roads. As of today’s date, 13 more people have died on our roads compared to this date last year, with excessive and inappropriate speed being a major factor in many of these collisions.

25 April 2016 - Abuse of ‘poor box’ in district courts must stop
Link to Irish Times article..

20 April 2016 - Minister Donohoe damns use of Court Poor Box.
Link to report today.

19 April 2016 - Poor box enables nearly 2,000 drivers avoid points for speeding
​Link to Irish Times front page today...


16 April 2016 - PARC welcomes introduction of penalty points for worn tyres.
Link to Irish Independent report today.

23 March 2016 - Over half of learner drivers are not paying their Fixed Charge Notices while RSA figures show that unaccompanied learner drivers are involved in five times more fatal crashes than accompanied learners. 
See media reports today. Irish Times link.. TheJournal.ie .....

14 March 2016 - Bereaved families of RTC victims charged thousands for information relating to their loved one's death.
Link to report today by Fiona Gartland of the Irish Times.

22 February 2016 - The Social Democrats have fully endorsed and committed themselves to PARC road safety group's manifesto. 

21 February 2016 - PARC still waiting for our Taoiseach to sign lifesaving manifesto!

Fianna Fail Spokesperson for Transport Timmy Dooley has signed PARC's road safety manifesto.

Sinn Fein Spokesperson for Finance Pearse Doherty signed our manifesto on his own behalf and on behalf of his party.


12 February 2016 - The following election candidates have been handed a copy of PARC's road safety manifesto today in Cork.
The Taoiseach Enda Kenny, the Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald, the Minister for Agriculture, Food, the Marine & Defence Simon Coveney and Jerry Buttimer. We eagerly await their commitment.​

10 February - Micheál Martin is first Party Leader to sign lifesaving Road Safety Manifesto!
Micheál Martin has been the first party leader to sign PARC’s manifesto for road safety which has been sent to all party leaders. We await the commitment of the other leaders for our ‘Campaign Priorities in road Safety’.
The Consolidation of the Road Traffic Acts and effective IT systems for An Garda Siochána, the Courts Service and the RSA are among our ten priorities. Click here for link...

IMPORTANT
Anyone who has made a complaint to the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) using the online form on Thursday 4th February or Friday 5th February 2016, please resubmit your complaint as GSOC say that they have had a technical problem and may not have received some complaints. Link to GSOC website

4 February - RTE today show. Click here for link..

3 February - 22 serious injuries in road traffic collisions in 21 days of 2016.
 Click here for link...

2 February - Another loophole to close - A fine example of the urgent need to Consolidate the Road Traffic Acts! Click here for Fiona Gartland's report in the Irish Times today...

28 January - PARC member Ann Fogarty's interview with Ryan Tubridy today. 
Link to interview... ​

26 January 2016 - PARC MEMBERS' FIGHT FOR JUSTICE PAYS OFF
The Enright and Walsh families have spent the past 4 years looking for justice for their unborn baby Mollie Enright killed in a car crash in which her mother Mary Enright (nee Walsh) died on 26 March 2012. Until now the death of an unborn child killed in a road traffic collision was not recognised by the State.
Yesterday's ruling by Coroner Paul Morris changed all that. He will issue a death certificate for little Mollie.
This sends out a very important message to families of victims of Road Traffic Collisions - to have the courage and perseverance to seek justice in the name of their lost loved one. "Courage isn't having the strength to go on - it is going on when you don't have strength". Click here for link..

25 January - Summary of PARC's Road Safety Election Manifesto 2016.
PARC has drawn up a list of priorities for road safety that would substantially reduce the level of deaths and injuries on Irish roads. We must adopt a long-term vision for a transport system where no loss of life or injury is acceptable. Unless we have an improved system for apprehending and sanctioning law breakers we will never succeed in eliminating the main contributory factors to road deaths and injuries.
We will be asking all party leaders and candidates to sign a commitment to these priorities and will publish the names of those who support our campaign, on our website.

In keeping with these aims we call on the incoming government to:
  • Equip all relevant state bodies with new technologies linked to a central database.
  • Provide effective recording of licences and precise reporting systems.
  • Eliminate barriers to successful prosecutions for drink driving.
  • Provide effective IT systems for all relevant agencies
  • Improve knowledge and understanding of road traffic collisions and casualties.
  • Enact legislation, inform Gardai and insist on correct procedures in court.
  • Consolidate the Road Traffic Acts.
  • Think and Plan Sustainably
  • Independent driving in training and on-road assessment on a pilot scheme basis.
  • Government publication of 'Finding Your Way'.

​
21 January - Fit for purpose integrated database/information sharing programme needed for road traffic offences. Link here..


20 January - Deputy Tommy Broughan already follows up our road safety manifesto query re serious injuries.
Parliamentary questions were submitted to the Minister for Health Mr Leo Varadkar by Deputy Broughan this week.

Deputy Tommy Broughan's Statement on PARC's Election Manifesto today. Link here..

19 January - Mark Hillard of the Irish Times reports on PARC's road safety election manifesto "Campaign Priorities for Road Safety". Link to report..
Media coverage - Launch of PARC's road safety manifesto earlier today - Link to Journal.ie report

18 January 2016 - The following article by David Labanyi clarifies the law around mobile phone use while driving
Link to Irish Times report today

6 January 2016 - Flaws in the system could mean that we are not convicting enough drink-drivers
Link to analysis by Fiona Gartland - Irish Times

1 January 2016 - 
Congratulations to Mr Noel Brett former CEO of the Road Safety Authority on his appointment to the new Policing Authority of Ireland. We wish him well.