17th December 2014
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
The number of deaths on Irish roads is set to rise for the second year, Deirdre Clune MEP warned today, while urging motorists to take care on the roads this Christmas.
“Provisional Garda road traffic statistics for 2014 predict a worrying rise in the number of fatalities for the second consecutive year with a total of 180 road deaths or two more than this time last year,” said MEP Clune, a member of the European Parliament’s Transport Committee.
Speaking in Strasbourg, the Ireland South MEP expressed serious concern:
“Since the 2006 establishment of the Road Safety Authority (RSA), the number of road deaths in Ireland has fallen every year. However, 2013 saw fatalities increase on Irish roads with a total of 190 tragic deaths recorded (based on provisional RSA figures), compared to 162 in 2012 – a 17% rise.”
The Southern Garda division has recorded 42 road deaths so far in 2014 – an increase of four on 2013 figures. The Southern division includes Cork Central, Cork North, Cork West, Limerick and Kerry.
A total of 30 fatalities have been recorded in the South Eastern region of Waterford, Wexford, Tipperary and Kilkenny-Carlow this year – a rise of four on last year’s figures.
“Any loss of life on our roads is one tragic death too many. I would urge all motorists to please slow down and take care while driving this Christmas-New Year. Pedestrians, cyclists and all other road users must also take precautions. Pedestrians are particularly vulnerable during dark winter months,” the Fine Gael MEP added.
