Council urges motorists to exercise caution around bin lorries 

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is appealing to drivers to take extra care when driving around bin lorries following reports of near misses, involving other public road users.

Speaking about the appeal for safe driving, Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Errol Thompson, said:

“Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is committed to ensuring that the highest possible health & safety standards are implemented for our employees  by assessing possible risks and ensuring that appropriate measures are taken to mitigate against those risks.

I appeal to other road users to support this and to remember that our crews are emptying your bins and deserve to be able to do this essential function in a safe and secure manner.”

PSNI Road Policing Education Officer Constable Trevor Kirke added:

“We would like to remind all road users to slow down to help keep refuse collection staff safe, particularly on busy stretches and country roads. Drive at a speed that will allow you to stop well within the distance you can see to be clear.  In built up areas please don’t park in such a way as to obstruct larger vehicles such as bin lorries. Be patient and allow our refuse collectors to carry out this essential work that we all rely on.”

As a consequence of Covid-19, more people are working from home, an increase in the number of cars parked in residential areas has been reported making it more difficult for bin lorries to navigate through some housing developments. The Council would ask residents to be mindful of parking particularly on waste collection days to ensure that bins can be collected as safely as possible.

Council refuse vehicles are fitted with 360° CCTV to improve the health and safety for employees and the general public. The refuse vehicles bear warning signs advising road users that CCTV cameras are in operation to discourage dangerous and aggressive driving in and around refuse vehicles.

In order to protect Council staff and other road users, should staff report dangerous driving or manoeuvring around refuse vehicles, the Council will investigate CCTV footage and where necessary retrieve the registration plates of the vehicle and refer to the PSNI for further investigation and possible prosecution.