Road safety - Death toll is at new low

JUST as it is increasingly difficult to understand why anyone would smoke, much less begin smoking, it is hard to understand why anyone would jeopardise their own, and other road users’, safety by driving without a seatbelt or while using a mobile phone.

Nevertheless, nearly 35,000 people were fined for those offences last year. The probability is that this figure, especially in relation to mobile phone use, is just the tip of the iceberg.

Despite this, last year the death toll on our roads, at 241, was the lowest since records began. This is a very welcome trend and is the result of a considerable effort by educational and enforcement agencies. That only 2,472 roadside drink tests out of 507,604 proved positive also indicates a profound cultural change.

Yesterday was a significant day for motorists when the final section of the Dublin to Cork motorway was opened. This, and a new responsibility amongst travellers, should make driving safer and more enjoyable.