Varadkar ‘enormously concerned’ over increase in road deaths
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaks to the media during the official opening of the final section of the N22 Baile Bhuirne to Macroom Road Development in Co Cork.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said the fact there have been more road deaths so far in 2023 than all of 2022 is a “matter of enormous concern”.
As of Monday morning, there had been 163 road fatalities in Ireland so far in 2023 – an increase of 37 on the same period in 2022.
The figure for 2023 already surpasses the total number of deaths (155) for the whole of last year.
Speaking to reporters at the opening of the N22 Baile Bhuirne-Macroom bypass in Co Cork, Mr Varadkar said: “I’m aware that we’ve lost some lives only in the last 24 hours in Donegal, so I think that’s very much on everyone’s minds.”
Asked if there was a need for more investment in roads policing, he said: “There’s no one thing that makes our roads safer. You have to do lots of different things.
“So, increasing enforcement is part of that, that is about additional gardaí, it is also about more GoSafe vans and they’ve been approved.
“It is also about improving our roads and making sure they’re well maintained – and also about education.
“We’ll be running some campaigns reminding people of the kinds of behaviours that save lives on our roads.
“We made so much progress in the last couple of decades. There was a time when 600, 700 people were dying on our roads and it is really disturbing to see that number that had come down go back up again – and something I’ll be taking a personal interest in as Taoiseach.”
Mr Varadkar said the possibility of more funding for the roads budget would be re-examined under a review of the National Development Plan.
However, he said there was a Government commitment that public transport would be favoured in a 2:1 ratio over roads when it comes to funding for new transport projects.
Elsewhere, Justice Minister Helen McEntee has said she is "absolutely committed" to reversing the worrying trend in road deaths this year.
It comes as two teenagers were killed in a collision in Co Donegal which happened in the early hours of Monday morning.
Gardaí and emergency services attended the scene of the single-vehicle crash on the R238 at Terrawee in Gleneely at around 12.30am.
"It's been a really worrying time. It's been hugely upsetting to see the trend move in the direction that it has," she said in reaction to the latest fatalities in Donegal," Ms McEntee said.
"We need to do more collectively, from myself to Minister [Jack] Chambers, to those working in the roads authority, we have all said that we need to do more.
"I'm absolutely committed to doing more to making sure that the gardaí have the resources that they need, and that's not just more members, but it's also making sure they have the technology and the equipment that they need."
An 18-year-old man and an 18-year-old woman were pronounced dead at the scene.
Their bodies have since been removed to Letterkenny University Hospital.
A third person in the car, a man in his late teens, has been taken to Letterkenny University Hospital with injuries which are believed to be non-life-threatening.
A garda spokesperson said the R238 remains closed and local diversions are in place.
Gardaí in Buncrana are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed this collision to contact them.
"Any road users who were travelling on the R238 in the early hours of this morning between midnight and 1.00 am and has camera footage (including dash-cam), is asked to make this available to gardaí," the spokesperson added.
"Anyone with any information is asked to contact Buncrana Garda Station on 074 932 0540, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.
The latest fatalities bring the total number of people who have died on Irish roads so far this year to 163, including one each on Saturday and Sunday.
The figures are up by 37 in comparison to 126 at the same time last year.
In Co Clare, a woman in her 70s died following a collision involving a pedestrian and a van.
The incident happened on the N67 at Moyasta between Kilrush and Kilkee.
On Sunday, a man died after the minibus that he was driving crashed the Athlunkard bridge in Corbally, Co Limerick.
Gardaí and emergency services were called to the scene on the R463 overnight which happened at around 2.55 am.
As well as ensuring that gardaí are out on our roads, Ms McEntee said technology such as average speed cameras should also be introduced.
"What is important here is that there is continuous visibility and garda presence on the ground," she said.
"We do have campaigns that are much more visible at weekends and bank holidays and periods of time when we know that there are particular challenges on our road.
"But the focus between now and the end of the year is to make sure that that presence and that visibility continues irrespective of whether it's a Monday, Sunday or a Saturday night, and that will be the priority and is the priority for the Garda commissioner."
Mc McEntee said education and communication to change behaviour on our roads is also essential.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
