Decrease in road deaths to be recognised by EU award

Ireland will this afternoon be recognised for the substantial decrease in the number of road deaths here since 2001.

Transport Minister Noel Dempsey will be presented with an award from the European Transport Safety Council in Brussels.

The ETSC has praised the efforts made by the Government and the Road Safety Authority including mandatory alcohol testing, tougher penalties and hard-hitting media campaigns.

Ireland has seen a rapid improvement in road safety with deaths down 41% since 2001.

Latvia, Spain, Portugal and Estonia also achieved substantial reductions in road deaths between 2001 and 2009.