RSA confirms 184 deaths on roads in 2023, an increase of 20%

RSA chair Liz O’Donnell said it was with 'great sadness' that they acknowledged the 'tragic loss of life on Ireland’s roads in 2023'. Picture: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews.ie

Road deaths surged by almost 20% last year with 184 people losing their lives on Irish roads, newly released figures have shown.

This figure represents the highest number of deaths on Irish roads since 2016.

Over a quarter of those killed were aged between 16 and 25 compared with 16% the previous year, the Road Safety Authority said.

RSA chair Liz O’Donnell said it was with “great sadness” that they acknowledged the “tragic loss of life on Ireland’s roads in 2023”.

“We have had a difficult year in road safety,” she said. “People are carrying huge grief with them; a grief that doesn’t go away and a void that cannot be filled in their lives. Any one life lost is one too many.” 

The analysis by the RSA, based on provisional fatal collision reports from gardaí, showed that 184 people died in 173 fatal collisions in 2023. This was 29 more deaths than the 155 recorded in 2022.

There was a high proportion of male fatalities, a continuation of the trend seen in 2022 of an increasing number of pedestrian deaths and a high number of fatalities taking place at night when there is less traffic on the roads.

In terms of the gender breakdown, 78% of those killed on the roads last year were men. The number of pedestrian deaths meanwhile was at its highest rate since 2011.

Almost half (46%) of fatalities occurred between Friday and Sunday while a similar proportion occurred between 8pm and 8am despite lower traffic volumes during these hours.

There was an increase in fatalities across all road user groups, with 69 drivers, 44 pedestrians, 34 passengers, 26 motorcyclists, eight cyclists and three e-scooter users losing their lives.

Tipperary (16), Dublin (15), Cork (15), Galway (13), Mayo (12) were the counties that recorded the highest number of deaths, accounting for 39% of the total fatalities.

The surge in deaths has prompted calls for the Government to take further action to help improve safety on the roads with Cabinet approving the new Road Traffic Bill last month. 

Ms O’Donnell also acknowledged that more must be done.

“I welcome the proposed introduction of a National Strategy on Camera Based Enforcement which, I understand, will be prioritised in 2024,” she said.

“A National Strategy will ensure a consistent approach to the selection and use of the different forms of camera technologies as well as supporting the development of a roadmap for the rollout of camera-based enforcement and ensuring that enablers such as funding and other critical resources are identified.” 

The RSA said it is significantly investing in digital channels, including social media, to target audiences and push out messaging to reach as many people as possible.

A new campaign set to run for three months will also encourage family members and friends to speak to loved ones about dangerous driving behaviours, such as using a mobile phone, speeding or not wearing a seatbelt.

And, later this month, the RSA said that the annual road safety review will be held to identify key priorities for this year along with key government agencies and the minister.