Weekend road deaths - Road safety record not improving

IN yet another weekend of carnage on our roads, five people have died.

Sadly, despite repeated warnings, the death toll continues to mount with two fatalities in Kerry, one in Galway, one in Co Leitrim and another in Co Meath.

As the grim graph reaches a new high, the figure had risen to 189 by Friday and now stands at 195 compared to 175 this time last year.

In 2005, the death toll hit the 400 mark but with more bank holidays looming and the summer school break now underway, the outlook for 2006 is indeed bleak.

Tragically, despite a series of emergency measures aimed at heightening public awareness, including Gay Byrne’s appointment as the country’s road safety supremo, plus repeated garda crackdowns on speeding and drink driving, the situation continues to deteriorate.

With the penalty points system in a shambles, the Government is presiding over one of Europe’s worst road safety records as sadly witnessed in another bloody weekend.