Irish Examiner view: Update for rules of the road needed

The positive statistics and improving road safety lose their cogency in the light of terrible tragedies such as the deaths of Kiea McCann and Dlava Mohamed in Clones

Best friends 17-year-old Kiea McCann and 16-year-old Dlava Mohamed died in a car crash near Clones, Co Monaghan, on their way to their school debs ball. Picture: Instagram

Statistically speaking, roads are safer than ever. But when terrible tragedy strikes, as it did last week with the deaths of Kiea McCann, 17, and Dlava Mohamed, 16, on the N54 near Clones, then statistics lose their cogency as humanity and grieving takes over. 

But now, while there remain tears aplenty for the two young girls who were on their way to their debs ball, and with the circumstances of the single-car accident still unclear, focus is returning into what can be done to make Ireland’s road network much safer.