A survey by the AA of nearly 7,000 Irish motorists shows that most people feel that Irish driving standards has improved in the last ten years, but not by much.
AA members were asked whether, in their view, the behaviour of car drivers, truck drivers, bus drivers, cyclists and motorcyclists had got better or worse in the last ten years. Most people overall felt that standards were better now than before; however, the results were not unanimous and many people felt that Irish drivers had got worse, not better.
A total of 43 percent of respondents felt that car drivers had improved in the last decade, but 37.5 percent said that they had got worse. Cyclists came out worst in the survey: 28.2 percent said their behaviour had got better, but 30.9 percent said they had got worse.
"In overall terms, Irish road death numbers have improved greatly, and that's the most important measure of all" said Director of Policy at AA Ireland, Conor Faughnan.
In addition to the main findings, the AA also had comments from Irish drivers on other behaviour issues with mobile phone use, speeding and aggressive driving causing concern.
Cyclists' behaviour rated worst in Dublin, where 38 percent of people felt their behaviour had worsened in the last ten years.
"This is disappointing when we want to promote cycling in the cities." Says Faughnan.
The poll also revealed that 10.5 percent of AA motorists cycle regularly.