I’m a student in the National Botanic Gardens and frequently eat lunch in my car. Every lunchtime I am amazed at how many people show complete disregard for the rules. I dont know how many times I’ve had to squeeze into my car because some ignorant driver had parked too close. The other common rule broken is the one way system in place, everyday there’s someone who thinks the rule doesn’t apply to them.

Just the other week I was astounded by what I believe to possibly be the worst parking ever. While eating lunch I noticed this car come the wrong way around the corner.

I still can’t believe what happened next. The car stopped and the driver got out and casually walked into the main building. The car was parked for at least 5-10 mins before the driver finally returned at which point I realised that she had left a very young child in the car. Just what gave her the idea that this was sensible is beyond me, especially since there were spaces available to park in.

Popularity: 3%

People who use a mobile phone while driving are 4 TIMES more likely to have a crash, putting themselves and other road-users at an increased risk of death or serious injury, the Road Safety Authority said today.

Making no distinction between hand-held and hands-free usage of mobile phones, Noel Brett of the RSA said that “using a mobile phone while driving distracts the driver, impairs their control of the vehicle and reduces their awareness of what is happening around them.”

Motorists caught holding a mobile phone to their heads while driving face fines of up to €2,000 and 4 penalty points on their license. The organisation is now running a new campaign, including a 30 second radio advertisement, encouraging people not to use their mobile phones AT ALL (including via bluetooth headsets and speakers) while driving suggesting you “switch off before you drive off” - and if you really need to make a call, pull over and switch it back on.

The full press release can be seen via the RSA web site, here - and their leaflet “Mobile Phones & Driving” can be obtained (in PDF format) here.

Just a thought though - aren’t sat navs (GPS systems) just as distracting as phones with bluetooth - or perhaps even more so, as you actually have to LOOK away from the windscreen and the road ahead to use it?

Popularity: 4%

I must admit being Irish myself that the standards of driving in this country leave a lot to be desired….

Driving appears to be a new revelation here! People seem to be under the impression that the OVERTAKING lane is called a FASTLANE… Theres no such thing. Day in, day out, I come across a**holes who are of the idea that sitting in the overtaking lane is acceptable if you stay to the speed limit.

As far as im aware not every one living here is a member of the Garda Traffic Corps. Who are the people who think sitting in the overtaking is ok if you are travelling at the speed limit??? They arent Garda and have no right to impede other drivers , where do they get their licenses ( lucky Dips perhaps ). Im sick of being stuck behind morons policing the roads when im constantly held up by them on my way to work.

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Popularity: 22%

I have been invited to take part, as a representative of the ShiteDrivers.com web site, in the audience of a televised panel discussion programme to be screened on UTV Television, which is being recorded in their Belfast studios this Friday afternoon (May 2nd).

The programme, “Late & Live” will have, among the topics tackled, the issue of young drivers and “boy racers” in Northern Ireland.

I’ve also been asked to find out if there are any ShiteDrivers.com contributors or readers who feel they could add something to this debate and would like to take part in it. If there are, please send an email to me at Admin@ShiteDrivers.com (as soon as possible) letting me know and I’ll put you in touch with the programme producers.

See comments for more info on this.

Niall O’Keeffe

Popularity: 30%

According to RTÉ News, this morning:

A new Road Safety Programme targeted at Transition Year students was launched today.

The new programme, sponsored by Minister for Education Mary Hanafin (pictured, right) and Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey, will be available for schools from this coming September.

It is currently being piloted in some 50 schools.

The programme covers issues such as seatbelts and airbags, driver fatigue, drink/drug driving, enforcement, basic first aid at road crashes, emergency services and rehabilitation.

The programme provides for visiting speakers, trips out of school, projects and case studies.

The programme does not include driving lessons.

Minister Hanafin noted that ‘while 2007 was one of the safest years on Irish roads in over 40 years, the stark fact is that 338 people lost their lives last year’.

She said education is key to reducing road casualties.

It’s expected that the programme will now be rolled out to 500 schools. Maybe this will improve Minister Dempsey’s "approval rating"…

More specific information on the programme itself can be found on the Department of Education web site, here.

Popularity: 29%