We’re motoring: Record number of cars on roads

THE number of vehicles on Irish roads has reached a record high.

A total of 173,273 new private cars were licensed for the first time last year — an increase of 4.2% on 2005 figures.

It is the second highest recorded figure ever. Over 225,000 new cars were registered in 2000, although that figure was largely attributed to the effect of the Government’s vehicle scrappage scheme.