Blind woman highlights injuries caused by obstacles on footpaths

“IT’S SOMETHING that people who are full sighted don’t even think about … wheelie bins in the middle of the footpath, bicycles tied to poles with the wheel sticking out, sandwich boards popping up like mushrooms … all trip hazards.” 

Noreen Carter from Green Road, Carlow has a rare condition called retinitis pigmentosa and is registered blind. Her condition is progressive and untreatable, so living with the challenges of getting around Carlow is something she’s all too familiar with.

A new survey by Vision Ireland reveals a startling statistic: more than 75% of participants have been injured due to obstacles left on footpaths.

 These findings were highlighted during this week’s 2024 Clear Our Paths campaign by Vision Ireland, urging the public to consider the safety of people who are blind or vision impaired. The charity is calling for collective action to keep our footpaths clear of hazards that pose risks to pedestrian safety.

“Another big issue I have is cars with big, long backs reversing into spaces beside the footpath and coming in over the footpath. It a problem I have all the time on Barrack Street,” said Noreen. 

The Vision Ireland survey asked people who were blind and vision impaired about the hazards they encounter when going about their daily lives, with the results showing that many were impacted by obstacles left on footpaths.

The alarming findings indicate that a significant majority of respondents suffered injuries from obstacles on footpaths, some severe enough to necessitate medical intervention. Incidents ranged from minor grazes caused by overhanging branches to more serious injuries, including four sprained and two broken ankles. 

“A few years ago there were overhanging branches at Hanover and one of the briars caught me just under the eye. I was very, very lucky that I didn’t lose an eye,” recalls Noreen. “Life is hard enough without having all these obstacles, things that people could easily do something about if they just thought for a second and didn’t block footpaths,” she added.

The survey gathered useful data on the types of obstacles people who are blind and vision impaired face on our paths. The most common obstacles respondents encountered were parked cars, wheelie bins and overgrown branches. Street furniture, bikes, e-scooters and dog fouling also caused navigational issues for people who are blind or vision impaired. 

“Dog fouling is a big issue, too. When I’m out walking on the footpath, I stay on the inside, but that’s where most of the dog fouling is,” explained Noreen. 

In Co Carlow last year, no fines were issued for dog fouling, while 101 fines were issued for parking on footpaths.