The Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána are renewing their appeal for road users to take extra care after provisional collision figures for 2020 show a 17 per cent increase in the number of fatal crashes.
Sixty people have been killed in 56 fatal collisions up to May 27, 2020, compared to 55 deaths in 48 fatal collisions up to the same date last year, representing a nine per cent increase in road deaths compared to last year.
In addition the number of pedestrian deaths has already doubled with 18 pedestrians killed this year compared to nine in 2019.
Michael Rowland, the Road Safety Authority's director of road safety, driver education and research, says is urging motorists to slow down as the good weather and the lifting of some restrictions in phase one of the government’s road map means more people will be driving.
"As has been the pattern throughout the current health crisis many people will be out walking, jogging and cycling. Secondary students are also officially on their summer holidays so you can expect to see more young people walking or cycling on the road. Don’t forget too that it’s a busy time on farms with silage cutting, so motorists need to slow down and expect the unexpected while walkers and cyclists should be seen and use the road safely.”
Chief Superintendent Paul Cleary of the Garda National Roads Policing Unit says in light of the increase in road deaths this year, An Garda Síochána has launched a roads policing enforcement operation.
"The operation will concentrate on the four ‘lifesaver’ offences of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, speeding, non-seatbelt wearing, and using a mobile phone while driving. Of concern is the number of people arrested so far this year for driving under the influence of an intoxicant; either alcohol or drugs.
"Notwithstanding the recent Covid-19 restrictions with reduced traffic on our roads and the closure of licensed premises, we have still seen 1,153 people detected for driving under the influence of an intoxicant, since March 27," he says.
In addition, motorists are still driving in excess of the speed limits, not wearing seatbelts, and driving while using mobile phones.
This message is for all road users. Drivers need to be alert to dangers and slow down. Pedestrians need to walk on the right-hand side of the road towards oncoming traffic if there are no footpaths. People need to be reminded of the importance of wearing high visibility material when out walking, cycling or motorcycling.
