Deaths from road traffic collisions on Ireland’s roads increased in 2019 according to provisional statistics.
A total of 148 people lost their lives in 2019, compared to 142 in 2018, a four percent increase. 2018 was the safest recorded year on Irish roads.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) figures also showed a sharp drop in pedestrian deaths, down 15 (36 percent), and passenger deaths, down four (20 percent), but an increase in the number of drivers killed, up 25 (45 percent), compared to 2018.
“The only way to respond to these needless deaths and injuries on our roads is through action not words,” said Shane Ross, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.
“While families and friends grieve the loss of their loved one, we must as a society all respond with deeds, to prevent it happening to others.
“This means the Government and its agencies continuing to implement life saving measures contained in the Road Safety Strategy. It also means individually, as ordinary road users, that we need to take greater responsibility for our actions when using the road. We can do this by slowing down, not driving while impaired through drink, drugs or fatigue, by not driving while using a phone, by wearing a seatbelt and always sharing the road more carefully with pedestrians and cyclists.”
