Most road deaths in Ireland this year have occurred on rural roads, according to a new report.
A provisional review of progress in road safety published by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána shows that from 1 January to 15 July, 2021, 65 people died in 60 collisions – a 12 percent reduction in collisions and 12 percent less deaths compared to provisional Garda data for the same period in 2020.
However, of those fatalities, 82 percent occurred outside of urban areas, on rural roads with a speed limit of 80km/h or higher.
“Any reduction in lives lost on Irish roads is to be welcomed; however, the increase in fatalities on rural roads is very concerning,” said Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton.
“Behavioural changes due to the pandemic, such as remote working, are visible in the collision patterns this year. The traditional rush hour periods are less pronounced in the road safety statistics compared to pre Covid-19 and we have seen a huge drop in collisions happening overnight. The riskiest time on our roads is now in the middle of the day and evening. With our roads busier than ever as people holiday across the island, we all need take care and be mindful of other road users on every trip.”
