Rory O'Hanlon
Ceist:190 Dr. O'Hanlon asked the Minister for the Environment his policy on the provision of audio sound at traffic lights to facilitate people who are blind; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24396/96]
Written Answers. - Audio Sound at Traffic Lights.
Policy in relation to the provision of signals to assist visually impaired people at locations where traffic signals are provided is set out in the traffic signs manual which I launched recently and which is available in the Oireachtas Library. The manual advises that audible signals can be provided at non-junction pedestrian phases to indicate the green man period for the benefit of the visually impaired, if there is no danger of the unit being heard at adjacent signalised pedestrian crossings. Where it is considered impracticable to install audible signals, for example at junctions where traffic lights contain more than one pedestrial phase, it may be desirable to provide tactile signals — a knurled knob mounted beneath the push button box which vibrates when the steady green man is shown.