State lacks progress on cutting road deaths

THE Government’s record for reducing the number of deaths on Irish roads was branded among the worst in Europe, according to a new EU-wide survey.

The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) study of road fatalities revealed the Irish authorities recorded little progress in tackling the high number of fatal traffic accidents between 2001 and 2005.

The survey showed just over a 3% reduction in road deaths in the Republic during that period.