Gardaí have reminded tractor drivers hauling bales to ensure loads are tightly secured.
The appeal comes following an incident on the periphery of Portlaoise yesterday (Monday, August 2nd).
Hauling bales
In a post on social media on Tuesday, August 3rd, a spokesperson for Garda Síochána Laois/Offaly said:
“Not long before our colleagues were dealing with the fatal road collision on the M7/M8 motorways yesterday evening, they were dealing with the aftermath of an unsecured load on the periphery of Portlaoise.”
“#FarmSafetyWeek2021 includes road safety. Secure your load. If the load is too much, have the cop on to split it and make another run.”
Transporting loads
According to the RSA, unsecured or inadequately secured loads can shift when a vehicle is in motion and may cause:
- Loss of control of a vehicle;
- Objects to fall on or hit people;
- Road obstruction or collision where a driver is required to swerve to avoid fallen items;
- Spillages that may cause vehicles to lose control;
- Failure to secure loads properly may also result in financial losses due to damaged goods and vehicles, lost working time, clean-up costs and legal costs.
Loads must be secured even if the vehicle is only travelling a short distance or at low speeds.
The authority stressed that load security is not just the sole responsibility of the vehicle driver. Employers, vehicle owners, drivers and loading and unloading staff all have a role to play in ensuring loads are secure.
It warned that a failure to secure loads properly may also result in financial losses due to damaged goods and vehicles, lost working time, clean up costs and legal costs.
M7/M8 crash
Gardaí in Portlaoise are investigating a fatal road traffic collision that occurred on the M7.
It occurred close to the intersection of the M7 and M8 motorways on Monday evening at approximately 7.15 p.m.
In a statement, a spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said:
“The three-vehicle collision occurred when a man in his 80s was fatally injured when his car collided with two other vehicles.”
“He was removed to University Hospital Limerick in a serious condition and later passed away. He was the sole occupant of the car.”
The second vehicle, the driver (male 40s), was seriously injured and has also been removed to University Hospital Limerick along with the female passenger (40s). Her injuries are described as non-life-threatening.
The third vehicle, a male driver and female passenger, were removed to Cork University Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. One child in the car was taken to hospital for treatment.
Appeal for information
Gardaí are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to come forward.
Gardaí have asked road users travelling on the M7 yesterday evening between 7 p.m. and 7.30 p.m, who may have camera footage (including dashcam), to make this available to them.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Portlaoise Garda Station on (057) 8674100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.
