|
|
A reminder and warning that an Garda Síochána will be out in force today, running vehicle speed checks as part of their national “Slow Down Day” initiative.
The 24-hour operation began at 7.00am this morning right across the Irish Republic, with more than 1,000 separate speed checks expected to be set in motion.
During this day in 2016, Gardaí detected over 1,000 breaches of the law in relation to speed limits and were called to attend over 114 traffic collisions; with many classed as serious and one resulting in a tragic fatality.
Garda personnel this year, as part of a motorist education drive, will be providing road safety advice and handing out road safety leaflets, at identified busy locations. Same will highlight that nationally road deaths in 2016 showed a marked increase in fatalities, with most of the 188 road deaths linked to speed.
Statistically a 1% reduction in average driving speed will results in a 4% reduction in fatal collisions. A total of 61 people have lost their lives in crashes so far this year. Same figure represents a decrease of 12 persons compared with this time last year.
 The Tipperary Transport Coordination Unit (TTC) financed by the Dept. of Transport in conjunction with Tipperary Co. Council, got approval last week, under the Tipperary Local Transport Initiative, to provide a twice daily bus service from Ballingarry (South) to Thurles.
The service will serve Ballingarry, Killenaule, Glengoole, Ballynonty, Littleton, Thurles Town centre and the Thurles 3rd level college campus – Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT).
In particular geared to serving the College, and a Thurles workforce, it will also we understand, link, in Killenaule village, to the service visiting Clonmel, thus removing at least some feelings of total isolated from small rural communities, which they have been experiencing over past years.
The TTC Unit is based in the Templemore / Thurles Municipal Offices here in Thurles. The service, as with Bus Éireann commercial services, will remain free to those over 65 and the fares, we understand, will be fairly and competitively priced.
Operating Times of New Ballingarry (South) to Thurles Bus Service.
The new Ballingarry to Thurles service, as stated, will operate twice each day; five days per week (Mon -Friday), beginning from Ballingarry at 7.50am and 12.20pm, to arrive in Thurles LIT at 8.57am and 1.27pm.
Same will return from Thurles at 2.00pm and 5.45pm, arriving back in Ballingarry at 3.05pm and 6.50pm respectively.
The service is expected to begin in July next (2017) and for the moment at least, will not run on Church or National Holidays.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) are advising drivers and motorcyclists to take extra care using the roads at this present time.
The past prolonged dry spell of weather has allowed for the build-up of oil and rubber deposit to develop on road surfaces. Now with the weather breaking, these deposits when mixed with the recent heavy rainwater, results in a greasy road surface, which in turn reduces the expected length of stopping distances between you and the vehicle ahead, plus the risk of skids. The Road Safety Authority are therefore asking drivers, using our roads, to become aware of these present dangers and to slow down, while increasing your braking distance.
General Safety Tips for Road Users:
- Remember it takes longer to stop a vehicle on wet roads. In this event, do slow down and allow that extra distance between you and the vehicle you are behind.
- Take particular care when driving behind larger vehicles, e.g. trucks or buses; since they usually generate a considerable amount of spray, thus often reducing visibility on driver bringing up the rear.
- Watch out for other vulnerable road users e.g. pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. Remember there is also an onus also on pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists to be seen, so wear bright clothing with reflective armbands or a reflective belt.
- During periods of poor visibility, use dipped headlights at all times. Poor drivers will tell you that headlights are fitted to cars so that you can see where you are going in the dark. Wise drivers, on the other hand, will tell you that headlights let you see and be seen in good time. (Logically, in conditions of poor visibility, if you cannot be seen clearly from behind then just one day it is inevitable that your vehicle will be hit, and the cause of this rear collision might just be an 18-wheeler.)
- Check your tyres and replace them, if the thread depth is below 3mm.
- Be mindful of ‘aquaplaning’ or ‘hydroplaning’ by all wheeled vehicles particularly on roads where 100/120kmh speeds apply. Note: Same occurs when a layer of water builds between the wheels of the vehicle and the road surface, leading to a loss of traction that prevents the vehicle from responding to normal control inputs.
Visit the RSA’s website HERE for further advice when using the road in severe weather conditions.
 It is the intention of Tipperary County Council to temporarily close the N62 and the exit from the M8 motorway at J6, in Co. Tipperary, under the Temporary Closing of Roads Act, 1993-2015, (section 75 of the roads act 1993), roads regulations, 1994 section
The duration of this closure is expected to take place from Monday May 22nd through to Thursday May 25th 2017 inc..
The reason for the closure is to facilitate badly needed pavement works at J6.
Suggested Alternative Travel Routes:
Traffic using N62 (Thurles) should divert via Pouldine (at Moycarkey school junction) and onto the R639.
Traffic from Horse & Jockey, should stay on R639, and follow diversion onto N62 via Pouldine.
Traffic for Thurles travelling northbound, should exit at J7 Cashel onto the R639.
Traffic for Horse & Jockey travelling southbound, should exit at J5, Two-Mile-Borris, onto the N75, through Two-Mile-Borris and onto the R639.
To enter the Motorway from the Horse & Jockey, follow diversion signs for J5 and J7.
Any objections to this proposed temporary closure should be submitted in writing, addressed to ‘Director of Services, Roads Transportation & Health & Safety, Tipperary County Council, Civic Offices, Limerick Road, Nenagh, to arrive not later than 12.00 noon on Thursday, May 4th 2017.
Tipperary County Council regret any inconvenience caused during this same period of closure.
A 16-year-old Thurles boy, Ronaldo Ryan, arrived home from school driving a €130,000, 2017 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS Cabriolet, last Monday.
As one might expect, his parents were just a little surprised. (Truth is they totally feckin freaked out.)
“Where did you steal that car?” demanded his mother Molly.
“I didn’t steal it, I purchased the car today,” Ronaldo proudly replied, “She’s Taxed until January 2018”
“You are a liar; so where did you get the feckin money?”, his father John screamed, “Don’t think that we don’t know the cost of a Porsche Carrera!”
“I paid for it with savings from my confirmation money,” replied Ronaldo, rubbing a small speck of dust, with a paper hanky, from the windscreen. “It cost me just €20, and look”, he reached across between the front seats, “here’s the tax book!”
This gets both his parents into a bigger frenzy, as you can only imagine; “Twenty Euro’s”, who the feck sells a brand-new Porsche Carrera for twenty Euro’s?”
“It was that nice lady what moved into No 12 up the street,” replied Ronaldo. “I don’t know her actual name, but she saw me ride past in the rain, on my bike, and asked me if I wanted to buy a Porsche for twenty Euro’s.”
“Well, there must have been some kind of mistake,” said his mother Molly, trying to understand the situation; before then turning to her husband demanding that “you might get your feckin arse up that street and see what’s exactly going on.”
Under pressure; John strolls up the street, where he identifies a rather attractive middle aged woman on her knees in the front garden of No 12; planting Pansy flowers along her border. Having introduced himself, he states that he is looking for a woman who might have sold a Porsche to his 16-year-old son, Ronaldo.
“Oh, yes,” she responds, standing up, “That indeed was me. I do hope he’s not experiencing engine problems!”
“Err… no, from what I have heard, she seems to be running perfectly,” replies a somewhat relieved John, “But to tell you the truth, we can’t understand why in the world you would sell a 2017 Porsche Carrera for such a low price; twenty Euro I believe?”
“Well,” she says, “Just this morning I got a phone call from my husband. I believed he was on a business trip, but I since learned from him that he has run off to Australia with his ‘tart’ of a secretary, and is not planning to return in the near future. He said he was temporally financially destitute at this present time and asked me to sell his new Porsche. Send on the money he said, so that is exactly what I did.”
|
Support Us Help keep Thurles.info online by donating below. Thank you.
Total Donated 2024: €400.00
Thank You!
Daily Thurles Mass Livestream
|
Recent Comments