The campaign, which was featured on billboards across the capital city, comes as some COVID-19 restrictions are being lifted in Ireland – meaning more people are travelling around Dublin for work and leisure. The message is simple. Although the times we live in may have changed, the rules of the road and the steps we should all follow to protect ourselves and others are the same. We are appealing to all who drive, walk, or cycle near Luas not to forget these simple rules, and to always look left and right before crossing Luas tracks.
Distraction and being in a hurry can result in accidents which are often avoidable. For this reason, a shocking compilation video featuring CCTV footage showing the dangers of not paying attention when travelling near Luas was released to Irish media as part of the campaign.
National news broadcasters, radio stations, and online news outlets all reported on the campaign, with Seamus Egan, Managing Director of Transdev Dublin Light Rail, highlighting the importance of staying safe.
The interaction between a pedestrian, motorist, or cyclist with a tram can be fatal or result in serious injury. Whilst the Luas safety record is excellent, we will always appeal to all road users to “think twice and look twice” when close to Luas tracks.
Defensive driving by Luas drivers has prevented many serious accidents from occurring, but we must all take responsibility. I also particularly appeal to parents and guardians of young children – they may think their child is street wise but serious consequences can happen if children and young teens play unsupervised close to Luas tracks.
Seamus Egan, Managing Director of Transdev Dublin Light Rail
Those who travel near Luas are reminded that, aside from the potential for serious injury or fatality, collisions and near misses can cause hours of delays for those who rely on the service.Trams can not swerve and take time to stop, even in an emergency brake. We all have a part to play to keep each other safe around Luas.