As we head into the Easter Bank Holiday we must face the fact that tragically, 48 lives have already been lost on Irish roads in 2013.
This represents 14 more than this time last year. In addition 107 people have suffered serious injuries as a result of a road traffic collision.
We have seen a reduction in road deaths every year since 2006, which has led to Ireland becoming one of the safest countries in Europe in terms of road safety.
Although 162 people tragically lost their lives in 2012, it was the lowest figure ever recorded since records began. The reality now is we may end up with more than 162 road deaths by the end of 2013 if this upsurge in fatalities continues unabated. This cannot be allowed to happen, and we are appealing to every road user to take maximum care on our roads to ensure we reverse this increase in fatalities.
Drivers in particular have accounted for 29 of the 47 people killed on our roads to date, and as such are over- represented compared to other road user categories. In addition:-
• Over half of these fatal collisions occurred between 8pm and 4am
• Over half were single vehicle collisions
• More than three quarters were on roads with a speed limit of 80kph or more.
Bearing in mind the cold weather predicted over the next couple of days we ask that all drivers recognise the necessity to slow down, always wear their seatbelt, never drive whilst tired and never, ever drink and drive.
Assistant Commissioner Gerard Phillips said today:-
"We are up 14 road deaths today compared to this time last year. If we do not rectify this increase in road deaths immediately, we risk the very real possibility of having an increase in road deaths in Ireland for the first time in 7 years. It took a lot of hard work to make Ireland one of the safest countries in Europe in terms of road safety - we don’t want to lose that accolade. We now ask that every road user continues to help us to make our roads safer, and reverse the situation we find ourselves in today. We all need to examine our actions on the road and ensure that we take every precaution to protect ourselves and others.”
Commissioner Phillips continued:-
"Many people will be travelling to many parts of the country by car this Easter weekend, and we know to date, drivers are over-represented in fatalities compared to other road users. Over half of the driver fatalities occurred between 8pm and 4am and were single vehicle collisions, whilst more than three quarters occurred on roads with a speed limit of 80kph or more. We therefore must appeal to drivers in particular to get the basics right:-slow down, never drink and drive, always use your seatbelt and never drive whilst tired.”
Mr. Noel Brett, Chief Executive, Road Safety Authority said:-
"Weekends are a high risk time on our roads. We want you to enjoy the break, but to do so responsibly. If you decide to drink, plan ahead - leave the keys at home and designate a driver or use public transport. Make sensible decisions and don’t put your family and others through the grief of losing a loved one. Vulnerable road users also need to take precautions over the bank holiday weekend. Pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists should wear something that will make them stand out to other road-users, particularly in conditions of poor weather and poor visibility. Fluorescent materials are most effective during the day and reflective materials at night. Pedestrians are advised in particular to take extra care and not to walk home if they are under the influence of alcohol.”
A representative from An Garda Siochana will be available by phone between 10am and 11am on the 29.03.13. Requests to be forwarded to pressoffice@garda.ie
Notes to editor
There were 48 people killed on the roads as of March 28.
29 of these were drivers.
9 of these were pedestrians.
5 of these were passengers.
3 of these were motorcyclists.
2 of these were pedal cyclists.
Out of 29 driver fatalities, 18 were as a result of a single vehicle collision.
12 drivers were killed on roads with an 80 km/h speed limit.
12 drivers were killed on roads with either 100 or 120 Km/h speed limit.
16 drivers were killed between the hours of 8pm and 4am.
Easter Holidays 2012 (Friday-Monday, April 6 – 9)
Fatalities 1
Serious Injuries 5
Minor injuries 75
