Pedestrian traffic accident deaths up 12%

The number of pedestrians killed on the roads so far this year has jumped by 12% compared to the same period in 2006, gardai said today.

The number of pedestrians killed on the roads so far this year has jumped by 12% compared to the same period in 2006, gardaí said today.

With the evenings getting darker, pedestrians and cyclists have been urged to wear fluorescent or high visibility clothing.

Sixty pedestrians have died on the roads so far in 2007 compared to 53 for the same period last year.

Seventeen of the those killed were 76 years or older, compared to 13 in 2006.

Last week 85-year-old Mary Josephine McCarthy died after she was struck by a car while crossing the road after attending early morning Mass in Castlemartyr, Co Cork.

A Garda spokesman warned: "We urge people to assist the elderly whenever possible, when crossing roads and indeed when using the roads in general."

Meanwhile a total of 398 motorists were arrested on suspicion of drink driving during the past seven days up to Sunday night, compared to 413 the previous week.

"Garda enforcement activities in this area of road safety will continue to be prioritised," a Garda spokesman added.