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Road deaths drop to a record low
in 2018
03.01.19
PROVISIONAL road
collision statistics for 2018 show Ireland continued
to improve its road safety performance by recording
a 4% drop in road deaths, making it the safest year
since road deaths were first recorded in 1959.
Up to 3pm on the 31 December 2018 a total of 149
people lost their lives on Ireland’s roads as a
result of 142 fatal crashes, compared to 156 lives
lost in 141 fatal crashes in 2017. This represents 7
fewer fatalities or a 4% drop in deaths. The figures
were published by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) on
Monday 31 December 2018, following an analysis of
fatal collision reports by An Garda Síochána.
Commenting on the country’s road safety performance
as 2018 draws to a close Mr. Shane Ross, Minister
for Transport, Tourism and Sport said; "Although the
figures are marginally improved, they are not good
enough. Speed continues to kill (130,000 drivers
were detected committing speeding offences in 2018).
Drink driving persists and unaccompanied learner
drivers continue to break the law. Reckless road
users cannot be allowed to ruin the lives of
innocent others and their families. In 2019 the
crusade to improve road safety and save lives will
accelerate.” |
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A total of 149 people lost their
lives on Ireland’s roads as a result of 142 fatal
crashes in 2018. |
Ms Liz O’Donnell,
Chairperson of the RSA said, "2018 saw the
introduction of very important road safety
legislation. If motorists comply with these new
provisions it will translate into lives saved and
injuries prevented. Garda Roads Policing numbers
increased in 2018, and there is a commitment from An
Garda Síochána to further increase numbers in 2019
to meet original targets. This will mean that those
who don’t comply with these new provisions and other
road traffic laws can expect to be detected and face
the consequences of their actions.”
Ms. O’Donnell also called for funding to be provided
to An Garda Síochána to enable the national roll out
of new smartphone and in-vehicle technology,
commonly referred to as the Garda Mobility Project,
which allows individual gardai check the licence and
insurance status of drivers at the roadside. "This
technology facilitates the identification of a range
of offences at the road side, in particular
disqualified drivers, unaccompanied learner drivers
and those driving uninsured. The introduction of
this mobile technology will revolutionise road
traffic policing and needs to be given the highest
priority in 2019.” |
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