Road deaths in Ireland have increased for the second consecutive year, according to figures released by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
The Provisional Review of Road Crashes for 2014 found that 196 people lost their lives on Irish roads in 2014, compared with 190 in 2013. This is a 3% increase over one year, and a 21% increase since 2012 when there were 162 road deaths. 2012 was a record low year.
Ms. Liz O’Donnell, Chairperson of the RSA, said: "196 precious lives ended on our roads in 2014. That’s six more than last year. These people are gone forever. For their loved ones they are not consigned to year end statistics.”
Ms O’Donnell called on people to make minor changes to their driving habits to help prevent accidents on the road.
"There are small changes we all can make which are guaranteed to prevent collisions,” she said.
“So I appeal to all road users in 2015. Even if you change one aspect of your behaviour, be it speeding, not using a mobile phone, always wearing a seat belt, or just being more careful and courteous to others, you can help make the roads safer for all of us. Small things can make a huge difference.”
Beyond the headline figure, the report shows that there was a 24% increase in the number of vulnerable road users killed – including pedestrians cyclists and motorists. One in four of all road deaths was a vulnerable road user. Pedestrian fatalities rose from 31 to 42, while cyclist deaths was up from five to 12. The number of motorcycle deaths dropped marginally, from 27 to 24.
Pedestrian deaths showed a significant proportion of fatalities were elderly or young people. 40% of all pedestrian deaths were aged over 60, while eight pedestrian deaths, just under one quarter of all pedestrian deaths, were aged up to 15. A total of 16 children up to age 15 lost their lives, with another eight killed as passengers.
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr Paschal Donohoe, said: "I am very concerned that so many lives have been lost on the roads in 2014, in particular the high number of young and older people, who are the most vulnerable members of our community.
“Together we can reverse this trend and ensure that 2015 becomes a safer time to use the road. For my part I am determined to work with all the agencies signed up to the Government’s Road Safety Strategy to see if there are measures that can be fast-tracked to bring this about.
“Each individual needs to make a firmer commitment to practice safer road habits in the New Year. I would like to make a particular appeal and ask drivers to be more careful and mindful of vulnerable road users, in turn I would ask these vulnerable road users to take greater steps to ensure they can be seen when using the road, and appreciate that they too need to follow the rules of the road.”
