Independent councillor Frank McBrearty has called for a new road charter for Donegal.
The Raphoe councillor made the call in the wake of 13 people losing their lives on the county’s roads in 2013.
Cllr McBrearty said “In my 4 years and 7 months representing the people of Donegal on Donegal County Council I have seen the great work that has been done at local level promoting road safety.
“In my year as Mayor I had the honour and privilege in helping the council promote road safety right across the county. I am deeply sadden to see the trend from previous years has been reversed.”
He sadi he was alarmed to read that 10 people a week have been arrested for drunk driving and is concerned about the many complaints made to him about the alleged behaviour of the gardai not implementing the full rigours of law concerning drunk drivers.
“I am calling on a zero tolerance to be introduced concerning drug and drink driving and that all RTA accidents where the Gardai attend are ordered by Senior Garda management to compulsory test for drugs and drink driving as our neighbours do in Northern Ireland.
“I am calling on all county Cllr’s, town Cllr’s, TD’s and Senator’s in Donegal to sign up to a new road safety charter to promote road safety and drug and drink driving campaign.”
He acknowledged the great work done by the charity organisations in the county, in particular Mary Clinton of ACEART and Susan Gray of PARC.
“I hope that they continue to highlight the dangers on our roads and the effects on the families who have suffered at the hands of Drugs and Drunk drivers.
“I am going to try to ensure that we all sign up to a new road safety charter in 2014 in order to eradicate the road carnage in our county and in particular the pain and suffering caused to families by drug and drunk drivers.
“My deepest sympathy goes to all the families that have lost loves ones in 2013 to the road carnage in the county. We must ensure that we reverse this trend in 2014,” he added.
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