Irish Road Deaths Increase

This year has seen a rise in the amount of people dying on Irish roads, with the number as of 12 September totalling 132 people; an increase of 13 on the same period last year.

66 drivers lost their lives on our roads, the largest of any road user category.

14 of those drivers were between the ages of 21-25, the highest of any driver age group.

The figures were released by An Garda Síochána.

Friday continues to be the day with the highest risk of road deaths, accounting for one in five of all fatal road traffic collisions.

The time period 14:00 - 18:00 every day is the time with the highest risk on the road. 41 people have lost their life in fatal road traffic collisions that occurred during this time period.

The number of motorcycle riders killed on Irish roads has increased from 16 in 2012 to 21 this year.

There has been a reduction in the number of people seriously injured on Irish roads.

320 people have been seriously injured, compared to 347 in the same period last year, indicating a reduction of 27 serious injuries.

July was the worst month for road deaths so far, with 18 people killed over that month.

Just over half of fatal collisions (60%) only involve a single vehicle, usually involving a loss of control and collision with a road side object.

The majority of fatal collisions occur on local and regional roads outside built up areas (approx 65% of collisions).

80% of fatal collisions are occurring on roads with a speed limit 80 km/h or above.

18% of vehicle occupants killed this year, including both driver and passengers, were not wearing a seatbelt.

Chief Superintendent Michael O’ Sullivan said : "13 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, and may still rise. 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 four out of five 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.

"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."

(IT/CD)