Half of all road deaths are in 16 – 30 age group and three quarters of those are male.
Dublin, 20th October 2010 – Gardaí are appealing to young male drivers to take safety seriously this October Bank Holiday weekend. So far this year, almost half of all road deaths have been in the 16 to 30 age group (86 out of 173 or 49.7%) and three quarters of those individuals were male. 106 of those deaths occurred in single vehicle collisions.
This October Bank Holiday, (Friday 22nd to Monday 25th October) An Garda Síochána will be focusing on speeding, particularly among younger drivers, in an effort to reduce fatalities amongst 16 to 30 year olds.
John Twomey, Assistant Commissioner, Traffic, said:
“If you’re a young male driver, slow down and take safety seriously this bank holiday weekend. Gardaí have seen the devastation caused among families and communities by fatal road collisions involving young drivers. Take a moment to consider the consequences of your driving behaviour, the consequences for yourself, your passengers, your family and indeed for other road users.”
Over the weekend, Gardaí will carry out speed checks throughout the country, targeting known collision blackspots, to ensure that drivers abide by the speed limits and drive at appropriate speeds. Checks will be carried out to ensure that drivers using learner permits are complying with the legislation, such as the regulations in relation to “L” Plates and accompanied drivers.
While the overall trend in road deaths continues in a downward manner, the 16 - 30 age group continues to account for the majority of those killed in all road user types.
Almost half of driver fatalities, (38 out of 78 or 49%), two out of every three passenger fatalities (28 out of 44 or 64%) and three out of every four motorcyclists (10 out of 14 or 71%) are in the 16 – 30 age group. Three quarters of these are male and one quarter are female.
There were 173 deaths on Irish roads from the beginning of the year until 19th October 2010, which is a reduction of 8% compared to the same period last year, when there were 188 deaths. Of the 173 deaths this year, 86 were in the 16-30 age group, which represents an increase of 4% compared with the same period last year, when there were 87 deaths in that age group.
He said:
“While we welcome the fact that there have been fewer deaths on our roads compared to last year, the events of the last ten days have shown us we cannot be complacent. In early October, there were 24 fewer deaths on our roads compared with the same time last year and this has now been reduced to 15 fewer. This is the first bank holiday of the autumn/winter period and last year during the October Bank Holiday there were five (5) lives lost on our roads.”
He added:
“Drivers and all road users should take account of the reduction in daylight hours and the changing weather conditions and reduce their speed. Everyone must make an effort this October Bank Holiday to ensure that no family and no community have to deal with the tragedy that is brought about by deaths on our roads.”
Garda Press Office.
