The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has launched a new road safety campaign this weekend calling on drivers to take an extra moment to look out for motorcyclists when emerging from junctions. The campaign focuses on a familiar driving scenario – approaching a T-junction and preparing to join a road. While many motorists instinctively check for traffic before moving off, the RSA is reminding drivers that motorcyclists can be more difficult to see and that one additional glance could prevent a devastating collision.
The message is simple: Look Right. Look Left. Look Right Again.
Motorcyclists remain one of the most vulnerable groups on Ireland’s roads and continue to be disproportionately represented in serious and fatal road traffic collisions. An RSA report shows that 954 motorcyclists were seriously injured on Irish roads between 2021 and 2025. Two-thirds (66%) of those serious injuries occurred in collisions involving another vehicle, while failure to observe was the most frequently recorded action in those multi-vehicle collisions. More than one third (38%) of motorcyclists were seriously injured at junctions. The campaign forms part of the RSA’s ongoing work to improve motorcycle safety and has been developed through analysis of collision data, behavioural research and consultation with motorcycle safety specialists and representative stakeholder groups.
Tragically, 16 motorcyclists have already lost their lives on Irish roads this year.
Nuala Carey, Interim Director Partnerships and External Affairs, at the RSA said:
“Every driver knows the routine when they arrive at a junction. You look right, you look left and when you think the road is clear, you pull out. But what appears to be a clear road can quickly change when an approaching motorcycle has not been seen. Motorcycles are smaller, narrower and less visually prominent than other vehicles. They can also approach at speeds that make them harder to detect and assess at a glance, particularly at a T-junction when a driver is making a quick decision about whether it is safe to proceed. Our research tells us that serious collisions involving motorcyclists happen when another vehicle is involved and that failure to observe is the most commonly recorded action in those collisions. That is why this campaign focuses on one simple but potentially life-saving behaviour: before pulling out, take one extra look. Almost 1,000 motorcyclists have suffered serious injuries on Irish roads in the last 5 years and 16 motorcyclists have already lost their lives this year. Behind every one of those figures is a person, a family and a community whose lives have been changed forever. The difference between a safe journey and a devastating collision can be measured in seconds. Before emerging from a junction, take one extra moment to check again. Look right, look left and look right again. It’s a simple action, but it could save a motorcyclist’s life.”
The RSA is reminding all drivers that as the summer continues there may be increased numbers of motorcyclists on our roads. By slowing down, paying attention and taking an extra moment to look carefully at junctions, every road user can play a part in making Ireland’s roads safer.
Campaign Message
Look Right. Look Left. Look Right Again. Take an extra second. See the motorcycle. Save a life.
