The number of road deaths in Ireland rose last year, provisional figures have shown.
A total of 155 people died in 149 fatal road collisions in 2022 compared to 137 deaths in 124 fatal road collisions the previous year.
The figures were published by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) following an analysis of provisional fatal collision reports from An Garda Síochána.
The report also found that 41 pedestrians were killed in 2022, twice as many as 2021.
Despite a decrease in the number of drivers killed, drivers still accounted for the highest proportion of fatalities at 39 per cent. The number of passenger fatalities increased by four to 22 and seven cyclists were killed, the same number as 2021.
Provisional figures for serious injuries indicate that 1,292 serious injuries were recorded up to the 29 December 2022 compared to 1,342 up to the same period in 2021.
Cork and Dublin with 13 and Limerick with ten, were the counties that recorded the highest number of deaths.
Where it was possible to establish the use of a seatbelt or not among drivers and passengers killed, a total of 19 per cent were found not to have been wearing a seatbelt, according to the RSA.
“I am very concerned that so many lives have been lost on the roads in 2022,” said Minister of State at the Department of Transport Jack Chambers.
“The high number of pedestrian deaths, who are the most vulnerable of road users in our community, is also worrying. Working together, we can reverse this trend in 2023. For my part, I am determined to work with all the agencies signed up to the Government’s Road Safety Strategy to action measures to make our roads safe.”
