According to figures from the Road Safety Authority, a total of 127 people lost their lives on Ireland’s roads in the first six months of 2009.
In total, 63 drivers and 21 passengers have died, representing the majority or 66 per cent of road fatalities. 20 pedestrians have died accounting for 16 per cent of fatalities, 19 motorcyclists (15 per cent ) and four cyclists (3 per cent ) have also been killed.
Eighty per cent (101 ) of all fatalities were male and drivers in general aged between 17 and 25 accounted for nearly a third of all driver fatalities, highlighting the fact that males and this age group remain a particularly vulnerable road user category.
Over half (53 per cent ) of all fatal crashes on our roads, in the first six months of 2009, took place over the weekend. During this high risk period two thirds of fatalities occurred between the hours of 8pm and 8am. Saturday night into the early hours of Sunday morning was the worst time of the week for road fatalities.
Commenting on the figures Noel Brett, CEO, Road Safety Authority, said, “Although the number of road deaths in the first half of 2009 is down 14 deaths on the same period last year, the months of March, April, and May show a worrying trend with an average fatality rate of 26 compared with 19 for the same period in 2008, a 37 per cent increase.”
Mr Brett continued “For its part, the RSA will be running a very busy programme of activity to promote road safety over the next six months. For example, the RSA’s anti-speeding campaign, ‘The Faster the Speed, the Bigger the Mess’, will air on TV screens and national and local radio.
The RSA will have a presence at some of the biggest music and cultural festivals, such as Oxegen, the Rose of Tralee and the Ploughing Championships. The ‘Check it Fits’ child car seat road-show will be visiting towns and cities around the country in the autumn. Schools based educational programmes at primary, secondary, and third level will commence in September.
During Irish Road Safety Week which runs from October 12-18, we will have a full programme of high profile events to ensure road safety issues are highlighted at national and local level.”
In addition, Mr Brett said that “The RSA’s transport officers and vehicle inspectors will continue to work jointly with An Garda Síochána to enforce the laws which stop bus and truck drivers from driving beyond the permitted legal number of hours. These laws are vital to prevent such drivers from falling asleep at the wheel and ensure their vehicles are in a road-worthy condition.”
Concluding, Mr Brett said: “If we are to prevent another 127 funerals this year we have to take a good hard look at our behaviour. There is room for improvement. We can start by slowing down because we simply drive too fast to cope with the unexpected in this country. We have a choice, slow down and save lives, or risk penalty points and a fine or possibly losing your licence.”
