Road deaths up 12% so far this year

The National Safety Council has described the number of deaths on Ireland’s roads so far this year as "wholly unacceptable".

The council said today that 149 people had died in road accidents so far this year, a 12% increase on the same period last year.

It said men aged between 18 and 30 were the highest risk category.

The Safety Council said the rise was worrying given the ongoing implementation of the penalty points scheme and efforts to raise awareness of road safety.