ACOMSDave

Community Journalist

Safety First – Wear Something bright At Night

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IN 1967 as part of the campaign about road safety ‘The Wear Something Bright At Night’ was started.

 

 

To me an advert which has remained in my mind always.  However, the level of stupidity I see by pedestrians and cyclists on today’s road is almost beyond belief.  According to figures just released in June this year, … the annual average number of injured and killed while cycling between 2014-2018 is 53, which is 74 per cent greater than the 2004-2008 baseline average….[The Irish News]

But why am I in despair – firstly cyclists – last week as I was waiting or a bus on a main arterial road. I saw a car with driver pull up at the end of a side road at the double broken white line, check the road was clear and then having indicated pull out and turn right.  Meantime coming from the left came a cyclist, with high visibility leggings, a high visibility waist coast which was lying open, and therefore flowing back so you couldn’t see it.  Just as the cyclist came up to the road with the motorist halfway out, he (the cyclist) suddenly decided to turn right onto the side road without indication or warning.  In itself, not a major problem as the motorist was going one way and the cyclist the other, however, the cyclist broke the highway code in a number of ways:

  • Firstly not indicating his turn
  • Secondly deciding to skip behind the car turning right and therefore crossing the oncoming traffic lane, not turning into his lane for travel
  • Thirdly, he did not have a front headlight or red reflector on his bike – which the law states must have (…a white front light and red rear lights that must be lit at night. A bike is also required to have reflectors…) [Rule 60]

So gripe one; but this is not the end, because obviously there is this continuous unnatural hazard being caused to motorist and pedestrians when cyclists come up on the inside of motorists sat at lights and then cut across them, and then with pedestrians, the cyclists come flying down the footpath, no bell, no lights – a silent menace to everyone.

But pedestrians are equally irresponsible because the go out in the dark without anything white or bright and then complain when motorist says they couldn’t see them.

Over the last few years, there has been a campaign to get motorcar drivers to pay attention for motorcyclists and also to not drive in the blind spot of vans and lorries,  something which I commend and have not a problem with.

However, I now feel that the level of respect for the highway code and for recognising that our roads and footpaths are becoming very congested (more so that they everywhere) means that local government and the police need to re-evaluate their current strategies on road safety and target cyclists and pedestrians as well.

Bring back suitable campaigns, even some of the older ones –

LET’S ALL WEAR SOMETHING BRIGHT AT NIGHT

 

and be thoughtful to our fellow road and pavement users.

 

 

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Politics – Azerbaijan gay group forced to close over safety fears

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Co-founder of Nefes committed suicide last year over persecution
| BY TOM ANA
Founder of Nefes Isa Shakhmarli committed suicide with a rainbow flag in 2014.

One of the only LGBTI rights group operating in Azerbaijan has announced it is being forced to close today (12 February).
Nefes (which means ‘Breath’) has said the increased arrests and persecution has forced them to make a decision:
They cannot risk the personal safety of its members any longer, and will close.
At the beginning of 2014, former Nefes leader Isa Shakhmarli hanged himself with a rainbow flag in his apartment.
‘I am leaving you. God bless you. This country and this world are not for me,’ he said in his suicide note. ‘This world is not colorful enough for my colors. Farewell.’
While the death was seen as a significant loss for the community, it helped kick start a new found passion among members of the group.
But then, once they renewed their campaigns, activists of the group reported they were subject to raids and travel restrictions.
And in September, one of Nefes’ founding members became a national target after news of his engagement to his male partner went viral in the press. It led to harassment and threats of violence.
The couple attempted to seek asylum in another country, but unconfirmed reports claimed their attempts to flee was blocked by Azerbaijani authoritities who allegedly confiscated their passports.
And earlier this year, their website was hacked by suspected religious extremists. A message stating ‘We Will Destroy You All’ ‘ was posted on the main page alongside an image of a jihadist flag.
Other members of Nefes have reported other incidents including hate speech, physical attacks and even torture.

In an interview published late last year, Shakhmarli said LGBT Azerbaijan people struggle because it is a homophobic, strict Muslim country and many cannot find a job. This means 90% are forced to remain closeted.
He also said his family could not accept his sexuality.
– See more at: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/gay-man-20-hangs-himself-rainbow-flag-azerbaijan230114#sthash.RVbI3WWG.dpuf

In an interview published late last year, Shakhmarli said LGBTI Azerbaijan people struggle because it is a homophobic, strict Muslim country and many cannot find a job. This means 90% are forced to remain closeted.
He also said his family could not accept his sexuality.
‘I want LGBTs to be brave. I live separately from my family in my own house, I have my own job, I can do everything myself,’ Shakhmarli said in the interview, his parting words to the world.
‘If you want, you can achieve.’

– See more at: http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/azerbaijans-only-gay-group-forced-close-over-safety-fears120215#sthash.mCYHRc8h.dpuf