THE rising trend in road deaths continued last month, according to figures released yesterday. The Garda said 53 people were killed and 921 injured last month. The corresponding figure for last year was 34 people killed and 920 injured.
A Garda spokesman said yesterday he was not aware of any particular reason for the large increase.
Over the June Bank Holiday weekend, five people were killed, compared with four over the same weekend in 1996.
A spokeswoman for the Department of the Environment said yesterday the Minister, Mr Howlin, has recently expressed his concern over the deteriorating trend in road accidents. He told the Dail last month that the disimprovement began in the summer of 1995, continued in 1996 and into this year.
"This trend must be viewed against a backdrop of a significant increase in kilometres travelled and in the number of registered vehicles on our roads," said Mr Howlin, though this was no consolation to the victims or their families.
The Minister is introducing measures to address the problem. They include a review of the driving test, with the introduction this year of a theory test. The National Safety Council is developing new material for primary teachers to introduce into the curriculum.
Other measures include the compulsory testing of motor vehicles and the updating of the current rules of the road.