On the 26th June 2013, Assistant Garda Commissioner Gerard Phillips appeals to all road users to exercise greater care on the roads.
"Fatal Friday” - Assistant Commissioner Phillips has highlighted that Friday continues to be the most dangerous day of the week on our roads. Nearly one quarter of all fatalities so far this year have occurred on a Friday, this accounts for 21 out of the 91 road deaths.
Assistant Commissioner Phillips commented, "As part of the "Operation Focus Campaign” during the month of June, 2013, we have received great support from all road users and organisations. However on behalf of An Garda Síochána I again appeal to people to focus on road safety throughout the remainder of the month”.
As of today’s date, 26th June 2013, 91 people have been killed on Irish roads. This is 2 more than this date last year. The amount of fatal collisions is the same as last year (85).
Assistant Commissioner Gerard Phillips continued "My appeal is to make this Friday a SAFE Friday on Irish roads”.
"I would request the broadcast media in particular to highlight the need for greater care on Friday, which is turning into "Fatal Friday" and in particular between 2pm to 6pm where 7 people have been killed this year".
Assistant Commissioner Gerard Phillips further commented on seatbelts:
"Provisional figures indicate that 8 of the 91 people killed (driver/passenger) in road traffic collisions this year, were not wearing a seatbelt. This is disappointing as all the research, evidence, and safety campaigns clearly indicate that seatbelts save lives. The use of a seat belt is the most basic form of road safety”.
3,493 people have been issued fixed charge notices for not wearing a seatbelt* (as of the 30th April 2013).
Assistant Commissioner Phillips stressed the following message - "If you are on the road please Make Everyone’s Safety Your Focus This Friday "
Photographs taken by Garda photography section:
Note:
We would expect the Provisional figures for the non wearing of seat belts totalling 8, resulting in a fatality for a driver or passenger, to rise when investigations are complete.
