The Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána have today published a provisional review of road fatalities for 2018 so far.
The report reveals that 78 people had died in road traffic collisions on Irish roads by June 30, which marks a 3% on the same period in 2017.
As of July 9, this number has actually increased to 83.
According to the report, Cork has seen the highest number of road deaths this year with 11. Cork is followed by Tipperary (7) and Dublin (6). Half of all fatalities happened between Friday and Sunday.
The breakdown of fatalities tells us a story of how safe our roads have been in 2018 to date. The summarising images simply demonstrates that there have been far too many #RoadSafetyReview18 pic.twitter.com/R9tnA6GSKf
— RSA Ireland (@RSAIreland) July 9, 2018
Other stats featured in the report include:
Road deaths have increased by 3% when compared to figures for the same period last year
· Up to 30 June 2018, 39 drivers, 12 passengers, 18 pedestrians, 3 motorcyclists and 6 pedal cyclists have been killed on Irish roads.
· There has been a reduction in motorcyclist fatalities with 70% less deaths than for the same period last year.
· The highest risk age group of drivers killed was 66 years and older.
· Half of fatalities happened from Friday to Sunday
· There were 17 fatalities between midnight and 6am (22%). The majority of these (11) occurred on Saturday and Sunday morning.
Moyagh Murdock, RSA CEO said: “These statistics show that it’s the behaviour of road users on rural roads, our local roads which poses the greatest danger to people. Simple changes in behaviour can help to save lives. Wearing high visibility clothing when walking or cycling, particularly in the hours of darkness, is essential to be being seen on our roads.”
“In addition, I would urge all drivers and passengers to make sure that buckling their seatbelt is the first thing they do before setting off on a journey. Sadly we continue to see fatalities where a vehicle occupant was not wearing a seatbelt and therefore had no protection in a collision.”
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