Road death toll climbs to 176 as six die over weekend

THE road death toll for 2006 looks likely to break the 400-fatality barrier after a grim weekend, including another death yesterday, saw six people lose their lives.

Already, 176 people have died in road traffic accidents in 2006.

The climbing death toll prompted Fine Gael to call for a national audit of roads in a bid to cut the number of accidents.

Up to May 31, the road death figure for this year was up seven on the same date last year and stood at 170. Since then, there were five further fatalities.

It also emerged that while 25,330 people were caught driving without a licence last year, just 3,000 were prosecuted.

The latest tragedy, yesterday, was a 45-year-old man who died in a single vehicle road traffic collision in Co Tipperary.

He was the driver of a car which went out of control and crashed at Scartana, Ballylooby, Cahir at 2.20pm. There were no other people in the vehicle.

The deceased will not be named until all relatives have been informed.

Meanwhile, five people died over the Bank Holiday weekend — two in separate accidents on Friday, one on Saturday and two more on Sunday.

The death toll rose despite increased Government measures to tackle the problem. The new Road Traffic Bill is set to go before the Seanad next Thursday.

It provides for mandatory alcohol testing, the banning of driving while holding a handheld mobile phone and hundreds more speed cameras.

It also includes provision for increases on the period of disqualification for drink driving offences on conviction and more severe fines for drink driving.

Fine Gael spokesman on Road Safety Shane McEntee said that European research indicated that 30% of fatal road accidents counted poor road conditions as a contributory factor.

“In Ireland, the poor condition of our roads, particularly our regional and rural roads, presents a serious threat to motorists and pedestrians, but is largely ignored by the experts,” he said.

“Anyone who drives regularly on non-national routes will be familiar with the kind of conditions I’m talking about.

“County councils and the National Roads Authority have a duty of care to those using the new motorways, but also to motorists travelling on our badly neglected country roads.”

He said a national audit, similar to that currently being undertaken in Britain, would help cut the number of road deaths.