Worrying news.
Recent information from An Garda Síochána has revealed that a total of 34 people have died on Irish roads in the past year, which is an increase of 9 compared to the same point in 2018.
Road deaths in Ireland have increased by nearly 30% in 2019, and this increase has resulted in An Garda Síochána issuing an appeal to every road user to “re-double their efforts and use the road as safely as they possibly can.”
Information revealed in the report from the Gardaí also showed that of the 34 people who have lost their lives in fatal road traffic collisions, 25 have either been a driver or passenger.
Another statistic revealed by the Gardaí showed that 1 in 3 of the 82 vehicular fatalities in 2018 were people who had no seat belt on.
Speaking about this increase, Chief Superintendent Paul Cleary, Garda National Roads Policing Bureau, said:
“This increase in road deaths is significant and affects all parts of the country. Every fatality has a devastating impact on family, friends and their local community.
“I call on every road user to play their part to make the roads safer. Think road safety every journey, and do everything you can to make the roads safer for all road users.”
He went on to say that:
“Initial information from fatal collisions in 2019 reveal that excessive or inappropriate speeding, intoxicated driving and lack of safety belts appear time and time again.
“In 2018, up to 1 in 3 of the people who died were not wearing a safety belt at the time of the collision. Safety belts are proven life savers and must be worn every journey, every time.”
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