Safety warning as thrifty motorists keep old vehicles

THE Road Safety Authority (RSA) has expressed concern that the poor standard of some Irish roads and the rising number of older vehicles could reverse recent reductions in the annual number of road deaths.

RSA chief executive Noel Brett said yesterday there were growing fears that poor road design and other features such as signage and speed limits were creating avoidable road safety issues.

He also questioned the roadworthiness of Ireland’s ageing car fleet as the recent sharp decline in new car sales showed motorists were no longer replacing vehicles as regularly as before.