Ms Donna Price:

I agree with the Deputy. Obviously, we all have a responsibility to keep ourselves safe on the roads. I am suggesting that where the cyclist, pedestrian or vulnerable road users is killed, we should not automatically blame that person for his or her death unless or until we have established all the factors involved. Therefore, if the driver was texting and did not see the vulnerable road user and then killed him or her, at least we have the evidence.

I have an issue with the question of drunk pedestrians. The Road Safety Authority broadcasted an advertisement that we have all seen. I have raised this with the Road Safety Authority. The claim was that 66%, two thirds, of pedestrians killed had alcohol in their systems. That is victim-blaming. Let us consider the figures. Over 200 were killed during the period in question, but there was only blood alcohol levels data for 40 of those. Of those 40 odd, two thirds had alcohol in their systems. We cannot continue to perpetuate that notion. It is so hurtful to our families, who have suffered an injustice.