Government under fire as 374 die on our roads
Figures released yesterday by the National Roads Authority (NRA) showed that 374 people were killed on the roads in 2004 - while this year’s toll is already approaching 400.
Eddie Shaw, who last month quit the National Safety Council in protest over the Government’s road safety record, last night accused ministers of failing to invest in safety.
“Already this year we have had something like 391 deaths on the roads and there are still 11 days of the year to go,” he said.
“Our record is not as good as the best in Europe and it should be. The reason we are not is simple. The investment in road safety, enforcement, engineering and education has not been sustained.”
A spokesman for Transport Minister Martin Cullen said the Government had devoted significant resources to the problem and had established a Road Safety Authority with legal powers.
He said: “This is the first Government ever to have introduced a road safety strategy and the first to introduce penalty points.
“We have also committed significant resources to improving the roads network.”
The NRA report, compiled from garda accident records, placed Ireland as the ninth worst EU country for roads deaths, with 8.4 deaths per 100,000 of population. This was far better than Greece’s record (19.3) but worse than Britain’s (6.1). Sweden had the best record (5.9).
Car users made up the bulk of roads deaths, up by 36 to stand at 208 last year.
Pedestrians accounted for 70 while 11 cyclists and 50 bikers were killed. Other accidents accounted for 35 deaths. Rural roads accounted for 70% of deaths.
* Ireland recorded 22,306 road smashes in 2004, resulting in 374 deaths and 7,867 injuries.
* The worst month was July, with 38 fatalities.
* Most accidents happened at weekends and between 9pm and 3am.
* Those between the ages of 25 and 34 were the most likely to be killed on the roads.
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