NSC reveals daily death on Irish roads

More than one person has been killed on Irish roads for every day this year, it emerged today.

A total of 66 people have died in traffic collisions so far, new figures from the National Safety Council revealed.

Eight people have lost their lives in the last week alone, with 33 killed so far in February.

The number of fatalities already in 2005 is four more than the 62 who died in the same period in 2004, the year which went on to have the highest death toll in three years.

In the latest accident, a 20-year-old man was fatally injured when the car he was driving was involved in a collision with another vehicle on the N17 near Tuam, Galway, this morning.

The two occupants of the other car were taken to University College Hospital Galway with minor injuries. The deceased was also taken to University College Hospital Galway, gardaí said.

The road at Cloonacauneen was closed for a time after the accident occurred at around 5am but it was reopened to traffic later.

Gardaí are investigating the crash.