Ireland’s road safety is improving, slowly

Ireland’s road safety levels are improving, but perhaps more slowly than is desirable. In 2018 there were 142 road deaths in Ireland. A significant improvement over the last 20 years where compared with the 458 road deaths in the country seen in 1998. Of note is that for 2014-2018, 25% of all fatal crashes and 20% of crashes involving serious injuries occurred during the 22.00-06.00 period when traffic volumes are typically low. In addition, 75% of crashes occurring from 2013-2016 in the 22.00-06.00 period involved alcohol use. Of concern too is that 40% of those killed in road crashes in Ireland were aged below 25, while 50% were aged from 25-44. Meanwhile, 67% of passengers killed in crashes were aged from 18-24. Rural roads with speed limits of 80km/h or more accounted for 70% of fatal crashes, with the majority of these incidents occurring at the weekend. And 90% of drivers of pedestrians killed in crashes were male, while 75% of passengers killed were male.