All road users are being urged to take extra care on the roads this month to avoid a repeat of last year's fatalities which totalled 19 people.
It was the worst month for road traffic fatalities during the year, according to Road Safety Authority (RSA ) and An Garda Síochána, with eight drivers, six pedestrians, four passengers and one motorcyclist having lost their lives. And the number of pedestrian and passenger deaths represented an increase in comparison to February in previous years (2017-2019 ).
While the deaths occurred across 10 different counties, County Cork accounted for a quarter of the fatalities.
There has been one death on Irish roads to date this month, and seven in total for 2021.
Sam Waide, CEO of the RSA, says despite February being the shortest month of the year, February 2020 was the most dangerous and tragic on our roads with 19 people killed.
“That number is not just a statistic. It is 19 families grieving the loss of a loved one. While February this year may experience different traffic volumes compared to last year, that does not mean there is any less need to be mindful of the dangers while driving, cycling or walking," he says.
“We don’t want a repeat of the tragedy that we saw last year so, drivers slow down and watch out for vulnerable road users. Pedestrians and cyclists, wear high visibility clothing, day or night.”
Road users are being alerted to changes in collision patterns because of the pandemic. The high-risk periods to use the road now tend to be Monday to Wednesday and Saturday, and between 12 noon and 8pm.
