February road death total lowest on record

February had the lowest number of road deaths for any month since records began.

A total of 16 people lost their lives in crashes during the month, compared to 32 in February last year, 25 in 2007 and 31 in 2006.

Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey each of the 16 road deaths was “tragic and avoidable”.

“We cannot become complacent about the fight to keep our roads safe and I want to see the downward trend in road deaths continue this month,” he said.

He said March saw a tragic start with already more than six people dead on the roads. “That's why today I am making a special plea to all drivers taking to our roads this weekend to be particularly vigilant,” the Minister added.

Mr Dempsey said Ireland’s roads were becoming safer “but we cannot let up in our fight to reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads”.

Research published by the Road Safety Authority last year showed that 46 per cent of road deaths happened at the weekends. Sunday is statistically the most dangerous day of the week, while the hour between 9pm and 10pm was shown to be the most dangerous period of the day, with 13 per cent of road deaths occurring in that time.

So far this year 61 people have lost their lives on the State’s roads, a reduction of 21 on the same period last year. Last year’s total of 279 deaths was the lowest since records began.