March the safest month on roads since records began

BETTER ROADS, driver education and a change in the attitude of young people were some of the key factors given yesterday for March being the safest month on roads since records began more than 50 years ago.

Eleven people were killed in crashes last month. Figures from the Garda National Traffic Bureau show that 40 people have been killed on the roads so far this year, which is down almost one-third on 2009.

Last year was the safest on record. In the same period last year, 57 people died. October 2005 was the worst month on the roads in the last decade as 44 people were killed.

So far this year, 15 pedestrians, 19 drivers and six passengers have been killed in road crashes. No pedal cyclists have been killed. Gabriel McIntyre chief supt of the Garda National Traffic Bureau said the attitude of young people was something from which the older generation could learn.

“They have a positive attitude towards using public transport and identify the named driver before a social night out,” he said.

The improving road network had also helped as “just some pieces in the jigsaw are to be completed,” he said. Greater enforcement of the laws against speeding, drink and drug driving and seatbelt usage had also helped improve safety.

While the enforcement of legislation banning mobile phone use while driving had also helped, Chief Supt McIntyre warned that the use of hands-free phone sets – although not banned – nonetheless distracted drivers, and contributed to accidents.

The safe year for cyclists was due to “a lot more responsibility among cyclists”, more of whom are using high-visibility clothing and helmets, he said. A reduction in the amount of heavy goods vehicles in city centres had also increased cyclist safety, he added. The reduction in deaths had been matched by a “proportionate decrease” in serious injury crashes, he said. Gardaí would concentrate in the coming year on reducing these injuries that had a “life-changing effect on the individual”.

He urged drivers to beware of fatigue over the Easter bank holiday weekend. “Roads have improved in the last few years and journey times have been reduced, so why not take a 10-15 minute break?” he said.

Free coffee is being offered today at Topaz service stations as part of a Road Safety Authority campaign.

Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey said the 40 families who lost loved ones on the roads this year knew the “heartache that road accidents bring”. He urged people to be careful on the roads over Easter.

As motorists began their holiday journeys, there was a crash between a car and a truck on the N7 in Co Laois in which seven people were hurt. A woman was seriously injured in the crash and three children were also hurt.