The Road Safety Authority (RSA ) is urging people nationwide to continue their life-saving behaviour and get involved in the national and local efforts to reduce road deaths. This plea comes as the RSA announced details of its annual ‘drive to save lives’ during Irish Road Safety Week which takes place nationwide from Monday October 10 to Sunday October 16.
To date this year (September 20 2011 ), 132 people have lost their lives on Irish roads, a reduction of 16 on the same period last year. Of these, almost half (45 per cent ) were drivers and one in five (27 deaths ) were pedestrians. Even more worryingly, almost one third of road-users killed (30 per cent ) were aged between 16 and 25 years. However, road fatality statistics to date suggest that, this year, road deaths could fall below 200 for the first time since records began.
Gay Byrne, chairman, Road Safety Authority, said: “Over the past five years, road-users in Ireland have proven just what can be achieved when we all take responsibility for the way we use the roads. And for that, I thank you. Although we have seen further reductions in road deaths this year, we have still lost 132 people in what are preventable tragedies. Irish Road Safety Week is a time to reflect on your own behaviour on the roads, think about the improvements you can make to be a better, safer, driver and how you can help to save even more lives on our roads.”
A number of road safety activities will take place throughout the country during Irish Road Safety Week, including the ‘Check it Fits’ Roadshow which will visit Ballina, Galway, Limerick, Maynooth, and Tallaght from Saturday October 8 to Wednesday October 12.
‘European Night Without Accident’ will take place on Saturday October 15. This will be the fifth year that Ireland will participate in this initiative which is happening in 27 European countries in 2011. The initiative is run by young adult volunteers who encourage groups of youngsters entering night-clubs to identify a ‘designated driver’ for the night.
For further information on Irish Road Safety Week and the activities planned for your county, visit the RSA website at www.rsa.ie
