Shane Ross blasts TDs on road bill

Transport Minister Shane Ross has accused rural TDs who tried to block a drink-driving bill of needlessly risking the lives of their own constituents after it emerged two in every three road deaths this year have occurred in rural areas.

He hit out at opposition TDs who opposed his plan, warning dozens of people died in drink-fuelled crashes while the bill was delayed for six months.

The Road Safety Authority’s (RSA) mid-year report, launched yesterday, showed 78 people have died on our roads, including 51 who died in rural areas. The worst- affected were Co Cork with 11 deaths, Co Tipperary with seven, and counties Clare and Kilkenny with five each.