Number of people dying on roads up on 2017 figure

The number of people dying on the roads has risen again, reversing the downward trend of recent years.

Figures reveal 78 people died in the first six months of this year, an increase of two over the same period last year, marking a 3% rise. A further five people were killed up to July 9, bringing the total so far this year to 83.

According to a provisional review of road fatalities issued jointly by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána, most of the fatalities occurred on local, rural roads. Cork has seen the highest number of road deaths this year with 11, followed by Tipperary (seven) and Dublin (six).