Provisional road collision statistics for 2019 show deaths resulting from road traffic collisions have increased.
A total of 148 people lost their lives in 2019, compared to 142 in 2018, a 4% rise.
2018 was the safest recorded year on Irish roads.
On the December 31 2019 a total of 148 people died on Ireland’s roads as a result of 137 fatal crashes, compared to 142 lives lost in 135 fatal crashes in 2018.
The figures were published by the Road Safety Authority (RSA), following an analysis of provisional fatal collision reports by An Garda Síochána.
Casualty figures for 2019 show that while there has been a sharp drop in pedestrian deaths, there has been a worrying increase in the number of drivers killed compared to 2018.
While there was one more motorcyclist death recorded in 2019 compared to 2018 an overall analysis of vulnerable road user casualties shows that there was a 23% reduction in VRU fatalities.
Mr. Shane Ross, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport said we must as a society, all respond with deeds to prevent it happening to others.
“It means individually, as ordinary road users, that we need to take greater responsibility for our actions when using the road.
“We can do this by slowing down, not driving while impaired through drink, drugs or fatigue, by not driving while using a phone, by wearing a seat-belt and always sharing the road more carefully with pedestrians and cyclists,” he said.
Ms. Liz O’Donnell, Chairperson, RSA, said after recording the safest year on our roads in 2018 it is deeply saddening that there is an increase in road deaths.
“We must respond to this increase the same way we have responded to previous setbacks.
“Rather than being disheartened it should spur us and our road safety partners into renewed effort.
“2020 is also the final year of the Government’s eight-year road safety strategy.
“Its primary target is to reduce deaths to 124 or fewer by the end of 2020,” she said.
Tags: