Irish road deaths in the first half of 2023 are worst for six years

There has been a 10% increase in road deaths compared to the same period in 2022.

New figures revealed by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) show that road deaths in the first half of 2023 are the worst for six years. 100 road deaths have occurred so far this year (as of August 1), an increase of 11 compared to last year. If current trends continue, the RSA predict that as many as 168 lives will be lost on Irish roads by the end of the year. Some of the key points of the data provided by the RSA show that 23 of the deaths are attributed to young people aged 16-25. That figure almost amounts to the same number of that particular age cohort within the same period in 2021 and 2022 combined (26). Nearly 50% of all road deaths this year occurred at during the night (8pm-8am), when the roads are at their quietest. Galway (11), Mayo (10) and Cork (9) accounted for almost one third of the deaths recorded so far.

Road deaths in the first half of 2023 are the worst for six years (figures include collisions up to 26 July).

The RSA and An Garda Síochána have issued a stark warning that years of road safety progress is being undone. Read more here: https://t.co/AK0Yd2nHNp (1/3) pic.twitter.com/SViVJEOdiK — RSA Ireland (@RSAIreland) August 1, 2023

Sam Waide, CEO of the RSA said: "The figures released today are alarming. Clearly, the progress we have made in road safety over the last number of years is at risk. "The evidence suggests that as a society we are losing momentum when it comes to road safety - with tragic consequences. If this continues, we could see 168 homes with an empty place at their table this Christmas time. "We all have a duty - all parts of society and every road user - to do everything we can to reverse this trend and save lives. I hope today can mark the start of a fightback from all of us to regain the progress we had made and make the second half of 2023 safer for all road users." The report comes just as the news broke today that two teenage girls lost their lives in a car crash in Monaghan on Monday evening. The collision, which also left three other people injured, is believed to have happened while passengers were on their way to a Debs ball. Header image via Rolling News.

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