Irish truckers rage that overgrown hedges are causing 'significant' accidents
Overgrown hedges are blocking sightlines at junctions, obstructing road signs and causing unnecessary accidents, according to the hauliers. The association is urging local authorities to cut hedgerows up to four metres high and consider both truck and trailer heights.
A 2024 Ipsos B&A survey commissioned by the RSA found that 75% of 620 HGV drivers reported overgrown roadside hedgerows to be challenging while driving. IRHA President Ger Hyland said these overgrown hedges are also causing significant damage to vehicles.
He said: 'When hedges encroach onto the road, truck drivers are often forced to veer across the white line in order to avoid damage to their vehicles and wing mirrors, creating a dangerous situation for all road users.
'On average a medium sized haulier is losing 2 mirrors a week on their truck fleet. That is a cost of €1000 euro a week due to mismanagement of our roadside vegetation.' The hauliers also noted that overgrown hedges can be extremely dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists, as they can push them out onto traffic with little warning.
So far this year, 79 people have died on Irish roads, this includes 20 pedestrians and eight pedal cyclists. Section 70 of the Roads Act 1993 states that landowners have a clear responsibility to maintain roadside hedgerows. However, Mr Hyland said he believes this enforcement is 'non-existent' by the local authorities.
He is calling on councils to be more proactive when engaging with landowners. While hedge-cutting is prohibited from March 1 to August 31, it is allowed when overgrowth poses a road safety risk.
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