Increase in road fatalities 2013 - 12/8/13

As of the 12th August 2013, 118 people have lost their lives on Irish roads, an increase of 7 on the corresponding date in 2012.

162 people tragically lost their lives on Irish roads in 2012. This however, was the lowest figure ever recorded in terms of road safety. It was also reflective of how many drivers changed their driving behaviour and drove according to the prevailing conditions.  In saying that, many continue to drive under the influence of an intoxicant, drive whilst fatigued, or travel at excessive or inappropriate speeds. Many drivers (or their passengers) still fail to wear a seatbelt, or continue to hold a mobile phone whilst driving. These examples of high risk behaviour continue to be major contributory factors to road deaths.

61 drivers have lost their lives on our roads, the largest of any road user category. 13 of those drivers were between the ages of 21-25, the highest of any driver age group. Friday continues to carry the highest risk on the road of any day of the week, accounting for 1 in 5 of all fatal road traffic collisions. The time period 2pm-6pm every day is the time with the highest risk on the road. 37 people have lost their life in fatal road traffic collisions which occurred during this time period.

Of particular concern is the number of motorcycle fatalities that have occurred to date in 2013. 17 riders have already lost their lives on Irish roads compared to 16 in total for 2012.

With this in mind An Garda Síochána appeals to every road user to take maximum care not only for their safety, but for the safety of every other person who shares the road with them.

Chief Superintendent Michael O’ Sullivan said today:-"7 more people have lost their lives compared to this date last year. Motorcycle fatalities in particular are already in excess of the total for 2012. There is no doubt that excessive or inappropriate speed plays a significant factor in collisions, and in particular what happens to those involved. We know from our analysis that 4 out of 5 fatal road traffic collisions are occurring on roads with a speed limit of 80km/h or more. Reducing your speed, and ensuring you and all your passengers wear a seatbelt, could be the difference between life and death.”

Chief Superintendent O’ Sullivan continued:-"This is not a driver or rider issue alone. We are all road users, and we all need to always take personal responsibility for everything we do on the roads. If we fail to work together and reverse the increase in fatalities showing to date in 2013, we could ultimately be facing an increase in road fatalities for the first time in eight years. Every road fatality brings devastation and heartbreak to the families and friends of those involved.”

Chief Superintendent O’Sullivan GNTB, is available for interview between 3.30pm-4.30pm. Email pressoffice@garda.ie to arrange same. Please provide contact phone number.

The family of the deceased motorcyclist have given their permission to use this incident to highlight road safety. A number of images are available on request pressoffice@garda.ie

We would request media organisations with online presence to highlight these images to increase road safety awareness.

 
Notes to Editor
 

Year to date (2013)

• As of Monday 12th August a total of 118 people have been killed on Irish roads, an increase of 7 on the same period last year.

• At the same time 277 people have been seriously injured, compared to 312 in the same period last year, a reduction of 35 serious injuries.

• The difference between a fatal and a serious injury can be as simple as a few km/h or whether a person was wearing a seatbelt or not.

• July was the worst month for road deaths so far with year with 18 people killed. The good weather may have encouraged people to travel more and to pay less attention to their speed.

Fatal collision profile

• So far in 2013 Friday afternoons and evenings have been the single worse time for fatal collisions

• Drivers account for the majority of those killed – 61 people or 52%. Young drivers aged 21 to 25 remain the single highest age group for driver road deaths.

• Just over half of fatal collisions (56%) only involve a single vehicle, usually involving a loss of control and collision with a road side object (e.g. tree, ditch, fence, wall etc.)

• The majority of fatal collisions occur on local and regional roads outside built up areas – approx 63% of collisions. 80% of fatal collisions are occurring on roads with a speed limit 80 km/h or above.

• Similar to last year a significant number of people are killed not wearing a seatbelt – 13% of vehicle occupants killed this year, including both driver and passengers, were not wearing a seatbelt. This figure could rise as investigations are completed.

Motorcyclists
• Motorcyclists have accounted for nearly 15% of road fatalities (or 17 riders killed) this year despite only representing a fraction of road users (approximately 1.5% of the national fleet). Motorcyclists riding for leisure at weekends on higher powered bikes are involved in a significant number of these collision types.

• The four most common types of collision involving motorcyclists and other vehicles were

o A motorcyclist overtaking another vehicle turning right resulting in the motorcyclist colliding head on into the side of the turning vehicle.

o A motorcyclist overtaking a vehicle travelling in the same direction colliding head on with an oncoming vehicle.

o A motorcyclist losing control while taking a corner and crossing into the path of an oncoming vehicle resulting in a head on collision.

o Another vehicle turning or driving through a junction / joining a main road from a minor road colliding with a motorcyclist

Enforcement figures