Garda figures show highest number of road deaths occur on main roads

FIGURES released by gardaí yesterday show that the highest number of motorists’ deaths occurring in Cork, Kerry and Limerick are on main roads, reinforcing the view that public criticism of excessive speed traps on these arteries is unwarranted.

There have been 56 roads deaths in the three counties so far this year, which is one less than last year.

Of these 18 (32%) were on national primary roads, while 10 (185) were on secondary roads and 13 (24%) on regional Roads. Only eight deaths (14%) occurred on minor roads and seven (12%) in cities or towns.

The N22 Cork-Tralee road and the N72 Fermoy-Mallow roads top the lethal list with five deaths each so far this year.

There have been four deaths on the main Cork-Dublin road [N8/M8] between Kilbehenny and Cork City, while three occurred on the R551 between Tralee and the Tarbert Coast Road in Co Kerry, a further three on Tralee-Limerick road [N21] and three on the Tralee-Caherciveen road [N70].

Two deaths each have happened on the Cork-Limerick [N20], Limerick-Tipperary [N24] and Ballygarvan-Halfway road [R613].

“The majority of people are being killed on national primary, national secondary and regional roads [74%] and that is why the gardaí are out on these,” Inspector Duane said.

He pointed out that the public may claim that the garda presence on such roads is excessive, but the figures reveal that these are the roads where the most serious accidents are occurring, while just 12% of fatal accidents are happening in towns and cities.

Drink or drug driving, tiredness and speed are being cited as the main factors in the number of deaths on Irish roads.

Inspector Duane said that since mandatory breath-testing was introduced last July there had been a monthly drop in the number of road fatalities.