Number of deaths on roads jumps 27% from same period last year

THE number of road deaths since the start of the year has jumped by more than a quarter compared to the same period in 2003.

Garda statistics show that 47 people have been killed in road accidents up to yesterday - on average one person a day since the beginning of the year.

That compares to 37 road fatalities for the same period in 2003 - a rise of 27%.