Independent Cllr Michael McBride, has warned that the location of certain election posters is putting pedestrians lives at risk.
On foot of his recent announcement that he would be running a “poster free” election campaign, McBride revealed to Donegal Daily, that he had been contacted by several concerned constituents in relation to potentially dangerous incidents caused by the careless positioning of posters.
Michael McBrideMcBride told Donegal Daily,
McBride told Donegal Daily, “In one particular incident in my home village of Kilmacrennan, a pedestrian was forced to walk on the road owing to the public footpath being blocked by an inordinately wide poster for the forthcoming local elections, and in doing so, she narrowly avoided being struck by a passing motor vehicle.
“I would ask candidates who are placing posters on every available lamp post and railing on or adjacent to public footpaths to ensure that they are placed in a thoughtful and safe manner and ensure pedestrian access to footpaths.
McBride said this particular incident could have ended in tragedy for both the pedestrian and the candidate concerned.
He continued, “I would also call on Donegal County Council to keep a close eye on the placing of posters to ensure that they do not become a menace to members of the public going about their business.
“While it is every candidate’s personal preference as to whether or not they wish to use posters; I would ask them to be mindful of public safety and ensure that lines of vision for motorists, particularly at junctions, are not obstructed.
“I was contacted by one worried constituent, who is a bus driver, who informed me that he has found his vision to be blocked whilst driving on narrow local roads by posters placed at the levels of his mirrors; and he felt that this was placing him in a potentially dangerous situation.
McBride, has been busy canvassing with his constituents, and has indicated he has been overwhelmed with the very positive feedback in relation to his decision to run a “poster free” campaign.
He concluded, “It seems many members of the electorate share my view that they are unsightly and a nuisance and have little or no bearing on their decision at the ballot box.
“Indeed, it seems they may have the opposite effect intended! More than one constituent has told me that they now plan to vote for me just because I am running a “poster free” campaign.
“In this age of social media, I am of the view that election posters will soon become redundant.