Deaths at 50-year low - Figures show change does save lives

IT is a considerable achievement that last year’s death toll on our roads was the lowest since records began more than 50 years ago. Though 240 people tragically lost their lives, and many, many more were seriously injured, the 2009 figure was a considerable reduction on the previous year’s toll of 279.

This has been achieved by cultural change and considerable resolve on the part of a number of bodies, especially the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the gardaí. Of course their efforts would have been in vain if individual road users had not responded positively to changes designed to make our roads safer for everyone.

Though there has been a degree of coercion, especially around drinking and driving, this achievement is a victory for education and sensible, focused leadership.

Though the provisional RSA figures represent considerable progress the families, loved ones and friends of the 240 people who died on our roads last year will naturally feel a terrible sense of loss. That is especially true for those bereaved in recent months, maybe even more so for those who lost a loved one over Christmas.

Another reason to celebrate this achievement is that last year the Government’s road safety target of achieving no more than 252 deaths per annum by the end of 2012 was realised, three years ahead of schedule.

This is no small achievement and lays the foundations for further progress.

All of this was reflected in the fact that the European Transport Safety Council ranked Ireland sixth in Europe for road safety in 2009.

Though the trend is hugely positive statistics reveal that some age groups remain particularly vulnerable. Predictably enough, young people are most at risk with 40% of the 2009 deaths involving road users under 25. This is worrying because there has been a complete change in attitude towards drink and driving among younger generations. It is simply not considered acceptable, yet statistics suggest we have been unable to change the mind-set on driving dangerously fast.

RSA chairman Gay Byrne gave some indication of the root of the problem when he warned that “the biggest challenge facing us is to change the culture of speeding ... the introduction of a network of safety cameras across the country in mid 2010 will play a leading role in tackling this problem”.

Anyone who regularly uses our major roads will agree with Mr Byrne and let us hope that we can be as successful in changing attitudes towards speeding as we have been in ostracising drink drivers.

Considerable progress has been made but a lot remains to be done. We have a lot of work to do to convince people not to use hand-held mobile phones while driving. We have to convince drivers that it is insane to send or read phone texts while driving. We have work to do on how to confront those driving under the influence of drugs other than alcohol.

Though our major roads network has been improved considerably, and this has helped reduce fatalities, many minor roads still need improvement. We need to improve public transport as well thereby taking more private cars redundant.

We must not rest on our laurels because safe driving is a constant challenge and requires a commitment from all road users. But, as these very welcome figures prove, it is more than worth the effort.