Lowest number of monthly road deaths since records began

THE number of people killed on the roads last month was the lowest on record.

Provisional figures show that nine people died, the smallest number since records began in 1959.

Transport Minister Leo Varadkar praised motorists for driving safely.

“While one death is one too many it is very important that we acknowledge the efforts of all road users in making April 2011 the safest on record,” MrVaradkar said.

“Your efforts to improve road safety, and to protect communities, have savedmany lives. I would again appeal to everyone to please redouble your efforts and continue this life-saving behaviour.”

Road Safety Authority chief Noel Brett said the figure reflected the seismicchange in attitude by the public towards road safety.

Previously, the lowest monthly recorded figure was in December 2010 when 10 people died.

“For the last five years road deaths have dropped year on year,” Mr Brett said.

“Last year a total of 213 died on our roads. This year we should all aim to get road deaths below 200. Unfortunately, the number of people being killed and injured on our roads is the only way we can measure success in road safety.

“So, I would appeal to everyone in this country to really dig deep and make amajor effort to save lives on our roads this year.”

Assistant Garda Commissioner John Twomey urged motorists to continue to bevigilant as May last year recorded the second-highest number of fatalities in2010.

“Please redouble your efforts and lets work to ensure that more families are spared that dreaded knock on the door and that shattering news that one split second on our roads can bring,” he said.

So far this year 66 people have been killed on the roads.