Mayo County Council's Road Safety Office has issued an appeal to those contesting the upcoming election to give consideration when erecting election posters and the placement of mobile advertisement boards, as to whether these signs may cause an obstruction or danger.
With a change in the weather forecast over the next few days, the Road Safety Office has urged candidates not to hang banners and posters from road over-bridges and pedestrian bridges, which could become loose, be interfered with by third parties or fall onto fast-moving traffic.
Road Safety Officer, Noel Gibbons said: "Driver distraction has a negative impact on road safety and so only essential signage should appear. There is a safety issue connected to the erection and removal of posters etc. particularly those which are inappropriately sited; also personnel erecting the posters are advised to wear Hi Viz.
"A build-up of election material can often have a negative visual impact on the general amenity of roads with possible safety implications for drivers and pedestrians. Traffic and road signs are specifically designed to be clearly read by passing road users, those erecting posters near junctions should ensure they are not blocking road user sight-lines.
"Election candidates tend to place their posters in areas which are crucial to road users such as on roundabouts, statutory road signs, directional signs, traffic light poles, STOP or Yield signs or other crucial areas.
"We can appreciate that candidates need to get their posters out there and in the best possible areas, but by placing them in these areas, this can lead to problems for road users, such as vision impairment, obstruction or distraction, which could lead to a collision, so in the interest of road safety I am appealing to candidates to be conscious of where posters are placed and please ensure that they are not placed in hazardous areas."
Among the signs that should not be obscured are those relating to speed limits, junction warnings, road works and directions. Gibbons continued: "We have received complaints in the past that election posters have obscured road traffic signs. If people cannot see these signs then that is compromising road safety. Nothing should distract the attention of drivers or interfere with their line of sight. This is potentially very dangerous.
"The signage on our roads, whether put there by the TII, local authorities, gardai or construction and road repair teams, is there to help motorists stay safe."
Gibbons concluded saying: "They are also reminded that posters would be removed within the statutory seven-day period after polling and to remove all unsightly cable ties also. It is vital that no action is taken that obscures them or distracts road users from their content."
The ESB have also issued a similar appeal to election candidates in a statement this week, which reads: "ESB Networks wish to remind all groups and parties involved in the upcoming General Election that the erection of posters on ESB electricity poles poses a serious safety risk to ESB Networks staff, contractors and members of the public and is strictly prohibited.
"Dangerous situations have been created in the past by individuals or parties erecting posters on electricity poles. There is a very real danger to life when placing posters on live electricity poles. Posters have caused the pole to catch fire as well as creating blind spots for traffic.
"ESB Networks has been required to interrupt the electricity supply to households and businesses in order to safely remove these dangerous posters. Posters that are erected on electricity poles will be removed by ESB Networks and the costs incurred may be recovered from the respective parties and groups involved.
"ESB Networks regularly advise the general public to always stay clear of electricity poles and wires through its TV, radio and social media campaigns. It is important that these messages are taken on board in the interest of safety.
"In the event of a dangerous situation or emergency, the public are reminded to immediately phone ESB Networks emergency service on 1850 372 999 (24 hour/7 day service )."
