The Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána have praised the public for their efforts in saving lives on our roads as April 2011 was confirmed as the safest month since records began in 1959.
This trend reversal was badly needed because road deaths had increased in each of the first three months this year. At the end of March there had been 16 more people killed on Irish roads compared with the first three months of 2010.
However provisional figures, released by the agencies, show that nine people lost their lives on Irish roads in April. Previously the lowest monthly recorded figure was in December 2010 when 10 people were killed on the roads.
The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar, acknowledged the key role played by road users: “While one death is one too many, it is very important we acknowledge the efforts of all road users in making April 2011 the safest on record. Your efforts to improve road safety, and to protect communities, have saved many lives.”
Noel Brett, chief executive officer with the Road Safety Authority, said: “What has been achieved by road users in April is all the more important when you consider that we really didn’t get off to a good start this year.
“For the last five years road deaths have dropped year on year. Last year a total of 213 died on our roads. This year we should all aim to get road deaths below 200. Unfortunately the number of people being killed and injured on our roads is the only way we can measure success in road safety. So I would appeal to everyone in this country to really dig deep and make a major effort to save lives on our roads this year. It’s a tough challenge, but one I know we can achieve.”
However a word of warning was issued by Assistant Garda Commissioner John Twomey. “As we head into the month of May I remind you that last May was the second worst month for road deaths in 2010 with 28 fatalities. Please redouble your efforts and let’s work to ensure that more families are spared that dreaded knock on the door and that shattering news that one split second on our roads can bring.”
A total of 66 people have died on the roads to date in 2011, which is still six more than in the same period last year. However, with April recording a record monthly low of nine fatalities, there is every hope the downward trend will continue.
