Sir, - The Government has launched yet another road campaign, this time targeted at pedestrian deaths. The implication appears to be that pedestrians are being held responsible for their own deaths, no matter how difficult it is to be a pedestrian, particularly in Dublin. The sheer volume of traffic, together with poor driving standards and lack of enforcement of traffic laws, make it almost impossible to walk safely in the city.
Every day, I travel to work by public transport, using either the DART or Dublin Bus. Neither option is ideal but I am hopeful that the much-promised improvements will appear in the near future. As neither of them terminates outside my place of work, this means that I am also a pedestrian. The bus I use, the 123, brings me to Dame Street. From there, I usually walk up Grafton Street, along Stephen's Green and the full length of Lower Baggot Street, until I reach my destination in Upper Baggot Street.
The lights at Kildare Street, beside the Shelbourne Hotel, are the last set of lights I use which have a pedestrian light. The crossing at Merrion Street involves dodging the traffic turning left towards Merrion Square, including city buses, tour buses, taxis and cars, none of which give way to pedestrians. The next junction at Fitzwilliam Street has a hidden left-turn signal, which can be seen only by drivers turning left into Upper Baggot Street. As a pedestrian, the lights appear to be red. The junctions at Little James Street and Herbert Street have no lights, so again it is a matter of dodging cars. There at lights at the canal, but for cars only.
Dublin Corporation has kept the best for last. When I reach the TSB bank on Upper Baggot Street, I have to cross the road. The lights for the traffic heading into town turn red, which I can see from where I stand. However, the lights remain green for the traffic coming out of town. This I cannot see, as there is a hood over the green light, which means it can be seen only by drivers. When the light eventually changes to red, there is invariably traffic turning left from Haddington Road, which again means dodging cars and vans. I believe this to be the best "pedestrian trap" in the city, and a great source of confusion to tourists and children.
Perhaps the Government and Corporation could divert some of the money they are spending on publicity campaigns and use it to improve the facilities for pedestrians throughout the city, - Yours, etc.,
Mark Crowther, Brian Avenue, Marino, Dublin 3.