A provisional review of road fatalities for 2015 shows that as of December 22 there have been 154 deaths, following 148 fatal collisions on Irish roads. This represents 37 fewer deaths (-19%) and 29 fewer fatal crashes compared to the same period in 2014.
Commenting on the provisional review, published by the Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe, said,“While every death is one too many, the progress we are making in reducing the number of fatalities on our roads is encouraging. It is estimated, however, that a further eight people may die over the Christmas period, further highlighting the fact that the opportunity is there for each and every one of us to prevent this from happening by making good choices whether we are out walking, cycling, biking or driving.
“But not only can we save more lives we also have the possibility of making 2015 the safest year on our roads, since we began recording road deaths in 1959. Such an achievement would be a fitting tribute and mark of respect to the many thousands of people who have died or been injured on the road. So together let’s make this Christmas a safe one and save lives.”
The provisional review of fatalities from January to December 2015 found that:
Road deaths have declined by 19% compared to last year (191 compared to 154) with reductions in all road-user groups
There have been 20 fewer vehicle occupant deaths (-18%)
There have been 14 fewer vulnerable road user deaths (-19%)
Broken down into road user category; 69 drivers, 25 passengers, 31 pedestrians, 20 motorcyclists and 9 cyclists have been killed on Irish roads.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.