Road deaths - Steady drive needed on road safety

SPIRALLING road carnage in the Republic is in stark contrast to the latest statistics from Northern Ireland, which reflect the lowest death toll there in over half a century.

To its shame, the Republic of Ireland is the only state in Europe where road deaths are on the increase.

The Government’s collective handling of this grave issue is so inept that it has been accused of criminal negligence - a damning charge levelled by Eddie Shaw, former chairman of the National Safety Council. Disillusioned, he resigned that post in protest over the Coalition’s mealy-mouthed performance in tackling road carnage.