Éamon Ó Cuív Urges Mandatory High-Vis for Cyclists and Pedestrians
Éamon Ó Cuív questioned the Minister on improving visibility for vulnerable road users, proposing mandatory high-visibility clothing for cyclists after sunset and for pedestrians where there are no footpaths or streetlights. He argued such measures would protect vulnerable road users and likened acceptance to the way helmets became routine in hurling.
Proposal for mandatory high-visibility clothing
Éamon Ó Cuív put forward a two-part request: that cyclists should be required to wear high-visibility jackets after sunset, and that pedestrians walking on roads without footpaths or streetlights should also be obliged to wear high-visibility garments. He emphasised that such clothing assists visibility to other cyclists, pedestrians and motorists.
Safety analogy and public acceptance
He compared the proposed shift to the historic introduction of helmets in hurling, noting initial resistance gave way to widespread acceptance and routine use - suggesting a similar trajectory could occur for high-visibility clothing.
Ministerial response and current stance
The Minister responded that the Road Safety Authority (RSA) encourages the use of high-visibility clothing for pedestrians and cyclists, particularly in darker winter conditions, and that there is wider educational engagement for pedestrians. However, the Minister said there are no plans to legislate to make such clothing compulsory.
Policy work under way
The Minister also noted that other ministers are putting intensive work into supporting many road safety policy areas and that this work is being advanced in the context of road traffic legislation and other reforms this year.
Road safety focus and practical implications
The exchange focused on practical protections for vulnerable road users and highlighted the balance between encouragement and compulsory measures in road safety policy. The discussion underscored visibility, education and legislative options as central elements of ongoing road safety debates.
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With the days getting shorter and the dark evenings getting longer, and the hour is due to change in a few weeks, would the Minister agree that visibility for road users is absolutely important, and particularly visibility of vulnerable road users? So what I'm asking is, in two parts, has consideration been given to making it mandatory for cyclists after sunset to wear high-vis jackets of some type, as they are of great assistance in terms of visibility to other road users, including other cyclists and including pedestrians, as well as, of course, motorists? And the other one is, in areas where there are no footpaths and no streetlights, and that is a huge part of the country, would you consider making it mandatory that when you were walking on a road with no footpaths or no streetlights, that you'd have to wear a high-vis jacket? Again, it's a protection for vulnerable road users, and it's important that we all help each other. And my view on this is, it's a bit like the helmets in Hurland, when they were introduced, there was a bit of resistance, and people said they were on yesterday, no kid would think of going out on a hurling pitch without a helmet now, it's just part of what they do. Thank you, Deputy. Minister. Thanks very much, Deputy O'Queave, and obviously it's an area where I formerly had responsibility in terms of road safety. I know Minister Lawless and Minister Ryan are putting intensive work into supporting a lot of road safety policy areas, and that's being advanced in the context of the road traffic legislation this year, and indeed other reforms, so that we support pedestrians, cyclists and communities across our country. The RSA does encourage 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. But it is something that is encouraged, and there's wider educational engagement for pedestrians, but there's no plans to legislate to make such clothing compulsory. Just before going...
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