The Road Safety Authority (RSA ) and An Garda Síochána have issued a stark warning that years of road safety progress is being undone as new figures reveal that road deaths in the first half of 2023 are the worst for six years.
A total of 95 road deaths have occurred so far this year (as of July 26 ), an increase of nine when compared to last year. The RSA is warning the Irish public that, should current trends continue, as many as 168 lives will be lost on our roads this year.
Data made available from a Preliminary Analysis of Road Traffic Fatalities by the RSA (as of 26 July 2023 ) has highlighted a number of worrying trends, including:
Twenty-three young people aged 16-25 have lost their lives so far this year.
Almost the same number of 16-25 year olds killed (23 ) in the first half of 2023 as with same period in 2021 and 2022 combined (26 ).
Almost half (49% ) of all deaths on the roads occurred at night-time (8pm-8am ), when the roads are at their quietest.
Three counties (Galway - 11, Mayo – 10, and Cork - 9 ) accounted for almost one third of all fatalities.
As of August 1 there have been 100 deaths on the road. This is an increase of 11 fatalities compared to the same date last year.
The RSA and An Garda Síochána are appealing to all road users to be more vigilant on our roads.
“The figures released today are alarming. Clearly, the progress we have made in road safety over the last number of years is at risk. The evidence suggests that as a society we are losing momentum when it comes to road safety - with tragic consequences. If this continues, we could see 168 homes with an empty place at their table this Christmas time.
We all have a duty - all parts of society and every road user - to do everything we can to reverse this trend and save lives. I hope today can mark the start of a fightback from all of us to regain the progress we had made and make the second half of 2023 safer for all road users," commenting on the findings, Sam Waide, CEO, RSA, said.
“Road deaths are a tragedy for all affected. The figures published today starkly demonstrate that. An Garda Síochána are fully committed to playing our part in the comprehensive approach required to promote road safety and reverse the trend we are seeing in 2023. At both national and local level to working with road safety partners, local authorities, and communities, we are focusing on road safety design and engineering, technology, education, and targeted enforcement. Every fatality on our roads is one too many. We will play our part in keeping the roads safe for all," Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman, Roads Policing and Community Engagement, stated.
