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Garda publish road safety review 06.08.19

AN Garda Síochána and The Road Safety Authority (RSA) have published a provisional review of progress in road safety up to July 28, 2019. The review shows that from 1st January to 28th July 2019, 89 people died on Irish roads in 80 collisions. This represents 3% more collisions and 7% more deaths compared to provisional Garda data for the same period in 2018.

The review shows that:
• Road deaths have increased by 6 when compared to figures for the same period last year
• Up to 28 July 2019, 49 drivers, 10 passengers, 15 pedestrians, 9 motorcyclists and 6 pedal cyclists have been killed on Irish roads
• January and February were the worst months for road fatalities with 16 deaths in each month
• Seventy fatalities (79%) occurred on rural roads with a speed limit of 80km/h or higher
As of Thursday August 1 2019, 89 people have been killed on Ireland’s roads, 6 more than the same period in 2018.
Assistant Commissioner David Sheahan, Garda National Roads Policing Bureau, An Garda Síochána, said: "The Garda enforcement strategy in 2019 has clearly focused on the key Lifesaver Offences and to that end speeding intercept detections are up 48%, non-wearing of seatbelts up 27%, driver distraction offences (mobile phones) up 11% and Driving Under the Influence of an Intoxicant up 8%. We are urging motorists to slow down, be aware of speed limits, to drive at a speed appropriate to the road conditions and never ever drive while under the influence of an intoxicant. The ability of motorists to control their vehicle and to anticipate and avoid the unexpected is reduced when driving at higher speeds and driving while under the influence of an intoxicant. The members of the Roads Policing Unit will continue over the second half of 2019 to target non-compliant drivers, particularly key Lifesaver Offences, in order to make the roads safer for all.”
Ms. Liz O’Donnell, Chairperson Road Safety Authority, said: "Looking to the rest of the year it is vital that we don’t lose focus on the need for greater enforcement to tackle the main killer behaviours on the road. Key to this is the appropriate resourcing and investment in the roads policing unit. The roll out of the mobility project to front line Gardaí needs to be accelerated in order to respond to the increase in deaths in 2019. This mobile phone technology will revolutionise road safety enforcement as it will give Gardaí at the roadside access to critical information such as driver disqualifications, insurance and NCT compliance. We see it as the most important development in enforcement since the introduction of the roadside breathalyser test. I would call on the Commissioner to ensure that the roll out is accelerated.”
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