ELEVEN people died
tragically on the roads of Donegal last year - an
increase of two on the previous year, new figures
show.
The Donegal road traffic fatalities in 2015 included
five drivers, two passengers, two cyclists and two
pedestrians.
The local figure from the Road Safety Working Group
is set against a backdrop of 165 people who died
nationwide last year.
This was compared to 193 road traffic deaths in 2014
which was the second lowest number since records
began in 1959.
However, it was a shocking average of fourteen
people a month losing their lives due to traffic
accidents nationwide.
Donegal road safety officer Brian O’Donnell said:
"The most frightening figure is that of the drivers
killed, 20 were not wearing a seatbelt and nine
passengers killed had not got their seatbelt on.
"A large number, despite the horrific consequences
are still ignoring the dangers of not wearing a
seatbelt. It seems incredible that after years of
public education, including the use of graphic
television advertisements that people will still
travel in a car and not put on their seatbelt.
"If we can learn from these tragic figures and every
safety measure is taken when using the road
including slow down, wear your seatbelt, never use a
mobile phone while driving, never drink and drive
and by wearing high visibility clothing, road
fatalities will fall," he said.
"It should never be forgotten that behind every
figure and statistic are real tragedies and real
victims with real lives lost. Road safety is not
issue for the authorities alone. Each one of us who
use our roads can make a difference and should take
a moment to reflect on how we use the roads and
whether or not we could improve our driving and
ensure that we do not become another bleak statistic
— or the cause of one. |
