Good practices

The main road safety challenges we are addressing relate to the increasing number and vulnerability of older road users in traffic.
As life expectancy increases and people remain mobile longer, the proportion of senior drivers is growing. This trend brings several safety-related challenges:
1. Age-related decline in driving abilities:
With age, many individuals experience reduced visual acuity, slower reaction times, decreased attention span, and limited cognitive and physical flexibility — all of which can impair driving performance and increase crash risk, particularly in complex traffic situations.

2. Lack of awareness about new traffic infrastructure and rules:
Many older drivers may not be familiar with modern traffic features such as roundabouts, dynamic signage, or changes in highway driving behavior. This lack of familiarity can lead to confusion, hesitation, or incorrect maneuvers.

3. Delayed self-recognition of diminished driving fitness:
Seniors often have difficulty recognizing or accepting their own limitations. Without proper guidance, they may continue driving when it is no longer safe, putting themselves and others at risk.

4. Insufficient communication about legal obligations:
Older drivers are often unaware of the legal requirements surrounding driver’s license renewal, mandatory medical assessments, and other responsibilities related to continued driving.

5. Limited knowledge about alternative mobility options:
When it becomes unsafe to drive, older adults may not know what options are available to them, which can lead to social isolation and a decline in independence.

6. Stereotypes and lack of societal support:
Older drivers are often unfairly stigmatized, which may discourage them from seeking help, discussing concerns, or exploring new solutions. At the same time, the broader community may not be sufficiently informed on how to support them.
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Our initiative addresses these problems through a combination of awareness-raising, education, respectful dialogue, and collaboration with stakeholders. The goal is to promote safer, more confident participation of older adults in traffic — whether as drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, or passengers.

Das Ziel „Mission Zero“ war bereits am Horizont sichtbar, doch es rückt nach Corona wieder in die Ferne. Traurige Realität ist, dass die Anzahl der Verkehrstoten in den letzten Jahren stetig ansteigt. Die Hauptursachen für schwere Unfälle außerorts sind ein Dreiklang aus Übermüdung, Ablenkung und technischen Mängeln. Genau an diesem Punkt setzt das TRUCON-System (Truck Control Technology) an. Mit TRUCON ausgestattete Kontrollfahrzeuge erkennen bereits in der Vorbeifahrt technische Mängel am LKW (Infrarotanalyse der Bremsen und Reifen) und identifizieren Überschreitungen der Lenk- und Ruhezeiten. Denn hier liegt meist der Ursprung folgenreicher Unfälle. Zwar zeigt die Statistik, dass LKW-Fahrer die besseren Verkehrsteilnehmer sind und tendenziell durch umsichtige, routinierte Fahrweise weniger Unfälle verursachen. Gleichzeitig enden Unfälle, an denen LKW beteiligt sind, häufiger mit schwersten oder tödlichen Verletzungen als Unfälle mit anderen Fahrzeugen. Sich dem Ziel „Mission Zero“ wieder anzunähern bedeutet also, diejenigen LKW-Fahrer ausfindig zu machen, die sich über die Lenk- und Ruhezeiten hinwegsetzen oder deren Fahrzeuge nicht verkehrstauglich sind und somit tendenziell mehr Unfälle verursachen. Dabei unterstützt das TRUCON-System.

Violations at intersections, including non-compliance with a red light signal, are among Europe's most common causes of traffic accidents. According to data by the European Transport Safety Council, fatalities on European roads have more than halved since 2000, but the number of severe injuries and deaths caused by traffic accidents remains higher than the EU's target.

In response to this situation, LMT has built a GDPR-compliant AI-powered traffic monitoring solution that minimally interferes with existing road infrastructure and uses readily available resources. It can be installed in a matter of hours without construction and only requires an electrical connection.

LMT's solution uses a PANORAMIC camera paired with computer vision technology to analyse everything it sees in the video frame, then sends the metadata to the cloud. The cloud's algorithm sifts through the data and detects an occurrence of a red light offence. This information can further be used for detecting and prosecuting the violators and addressing the problem to help reduce such infringements in the first place.

The European Union’s Vision Zero – no fatalities and severe injuries on European roads by 2050 – stands to benefit from implementing such solutions as the traffic monitoring solution by LMT.

We are addressing several key road safety challenges, particularly the high rates of fatalities and serious injuries on Irish roads, many of which are caused by drink driving. Between 1 January and 24 July 2024, there were 109 fatalities on Irish roads, 17 more than during the same period in 2023. Among these, 43 were drivers and 14 were motorcyclists. One of the major factors contributing to these fatalities is drink driving, with research showing that 37% of driver fatalities (from 2015-2019) involved a positive alcohol test.
To tackle this issue, the Government's Road Safety Strategy Action Plan 2021-2024 has outlined a need for targeted public education campaigns addressing the key causes of death and serious injuries, with a focus on high-risk groups. In April 2024, the Irish Government allocated additional funding to the Road Safety Authority (RSA) to combat the rising number of road deaths.
As part of this effort, we launched a pilot program featuring the Flinebox breathalyzer kiosks, starting at Electric Picnic, Ireland’s largest music festival. It uses advanced Drager alcohol sensor technology, where users blow into a straw, and the result appears on a screen in just 10 seconds. A disclaimer on the screen makes it clear that the breathalyser’s results are for informational purposes only and don’t have legal force. By making this technology easily accessible in social settings like festivals, we aim raise awareness and encourage individuals to make safer, more informed choices before getting behind the wheel

TyreSafe is addressing the critical issue of tyre-related road casualties by equipping all road users with the knowledge to identify and act on poorly maintained or illegal tyres. Our mission follows the Safe System approach, recognising human error and injury tolerances, and aims to eliminate harm through education, engineering, and enforcement. TyreSafe’s focus is on reducing incidents caused by poor tyre maintenance, illegal tread depth, under-inflation, and other defects. Research consistently shows tyres are one of the most neglected safety components. Data from our 2023 Tread Depth Survey revealed over 6 million tyres are replaced annually when already illegal. A 2022 post-collision investigation revealed that 81% of vehicles involved in incidents had tyre defects. Despite this, under-reporting in Police collisions data, Stats19, limits national awareness. TyreSafe’s campaigns, research and stakeholder engagement address this knowledge gap. We work with government, emergency services, tyre industry and other road safety groups to increase understanding and action. TyreSafe’s vision is zero harm from tyre defects on UK roads. By raising awareness, influencing behaviour and advocating for better data and enforcement, we aim to instil long-term change and reduce preventable tyre-related collisions and casualties.