Provisional road collision statistics for 2016, which are based on preliminary crash investigations by An Garda Síochána, show a 15 per cent increase in road traffic related fatalities in 2016 compared to 2015.
Published by the Road Safety Authority, the road toll shows that 187 people lost their lives in 175 fatal crashes in 2016, compared to 162 lives lost in 155 fatal crashes in 2015. This represents a 15 per cent increase in fatalities and a 13 per cent increase in fatal crashes. This is an unwelcome increase in numbers particularly in the context of the decrease in fatalities seen in 2015 (162 ) compared to 2014 (193 ).
Safety statistics
• In total, 82 drivers and 37 passengers lost their lives. This represents 11 more driver deaths (+15% ) and 10 more passenger deaths (+37% ) compared to 2015.
• There were 35 pedestrians, 21 motorcyclists, and 10 pedal cyclists killed.
• Vulnerable road users represented more than a third (35% ) of all those killed
• In addition, two road users in the ‘other’ category were killed (this includes one pillion passenger, and one sulky passenger ).
• There has been an increase in fatalities among pedestrians (+2 ) and pedal cyclists (+1 ); there was a decline in deaths among motorcyclists (-1 ).
• July 2016 was the most dangerous month for road users in 2016 with 21 fatalities recorded, but May and October were also particularly dangerous with 20 deaths recorded in each month. The monthly average to December 30, 2016 was 16 fatalities per month.
• The highest number of fatalities in 2016 were in Dublin (21 ), Cork (21 ) and Limerick (16 )
- Approximately one in five drivers and passengers were not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the collision.
