EU: Irish deaths down, but rural speed limit too high

THE European Transport Safety Council has praised Ireland’s efforts in reducing deaths on rural roads, but said the speed limit here is too high.

ETSC’s 18th Road Safety PIN Flash compares EU countries’ progress in reducing deaths on rural roads since 2001.

It finds that, compared with an EU-wide average of 5%, Ireland has reduced its death toll by 6% each year between 2001 and 2009. In 2001, 303 people died on Irish roads outside urban areas and motorways.