Death toll on State's roads up 16 on 2003

There have been sixteen more deaths on Irish roads so far this year than over the same period last year,  the National Safety Council (NSC) said today.

According to provisional figures supplied by the Garda 149 people were killed this year compared with 133 for the same period last year.

Last weekend was particularly bad as 11 people were killed on the roads in the North and South. NSC spokesman Mr Brian Farrell, said motorists must look at their "own behaviour" in an effort to stop road deaths.

"We don't drive at an appropriate speed for the environment we are in," he said.

Mr Farrell said a number of people are driving when impaired either from drink and drugs or even prescription drugs which can cause drowsiness and lead to accidents.

"People still refuse to wear a seat belt," he added, saying it was a major reason for deaths on Irish roads. According to the NSC, young male drivers are the biggest at risk group representing 20 per cent of all driver deaths despite being only 6 per cent of the driving population.

Next week the NSC is starting a campaign to highlight road safety over the high-risk period June bank holiday.

When asked about the current confusion over the law in regard to penalty points Mr Farrell said gardaí would continue to enforce the law and that "people should be under no illusions that it would be any other way".