Irish motorists are being urged to keep their eyes on the roads – and off the passing women – as poll shows half of motorists have been involved in near misses over the past six months.
When you come up to a junction you should check your mirrors. When you’re changing lanes you should check your mirrors. When you open your door you should check your mirrors – before you check a cyclist like an ice hockey player. However, a new poll conducted by the Institute of Advanced Motoring (IAM) has found that some of us don’t bother checking what’s around them.
The poll shows that over the past six months, 58 per cent of drivers have been ‘cut up’ by other motorists who failed to check their mirrors. Amazingly, 40 per cent of those incidents took place in 50kph zones.
According to the IAM poll 58 per cent of drivers blame others for simply not concentrating.
The poll found that 83 per cent of drivers said near misses would decrease if drivers looked out for motorcyclists a bit better, 52 per cent of drivers said they’ve had a near collision with a cyclist and 59 per cent suggested there should be better law enforcement for cyclists. We think most motorists agree with that last one.
So the next time you’re on the road make sure to keep your eyes on it too.
