Gardaí warn pedestrians after deaths

Gardaí have issued a warning to pedestrians and motorists after two elderly men were knocked down and killed in separate incidents in the past day.

In the latest incident, a man in his 70s died after being knocked down at around 8.00am today at Trinity Street in Drogheda, Co Louth. His name has not yet been released.

Last night, James Garvey (80), from Carrownedan, Aughamore, Ballyhaunis, was killed when he was hit by a car at on the N17 outside Knock in Co Mayo.

Gardaí this afternoon named the woman killed a crash on the Kentstown Road in Navan on Sunday as Denisa Jedlickova (31) from Knockbrack Downs, Drogheda, Co Louth

The deaths brings the number of deaths on the State's roads since the start of the year to 34. Thirteen of the victims have been pedestrians. Twelve drivers, six passengers and two cyclists were also killed.

According to Garda figures, a pedestrian hit by a car travelling at 30km/h has a 90 per cent chance of survival. This drops to 50 per cent if the car is travelling at 50 km/h. The survival rate for pedestrians hit by cars doing 60k/h is a mere one in ten.

A Garda spokeswoman today said: "Motorists are urged to be more conscious of pedestrians on the road. Pedestrians should wear bright, reflective clothing; walk facing oncoming traffic; and use footpaths, pedestrian and designated crossings and take whatever steps they can to ensure their safety on the roads."

Fine Gael TD for South Tipperary Tom Hayes today called on the Government to supply free high-visibility armbands and belts to pedestrians, particularly those living in rural areas. He argued that more people were walking on rural roads at night due to the drink-driving crackdown. There were also more migrant workers walking as many did not have any other way of getting to work, Mr Hayes said.