Speeding was “directly responsible” for 80 deaths on Irish roads last year, as well as being a factor in the remaining 160 deaths and 1,000 serious injuries.
Research presented by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) today showed that speeding was directly linked to one third of road deaths nationally 2009, and as many as 11,000 deaths in the EU.
The research comes as the death of a 24-year-old man in Co Cork yesterday brings to 89 the number of people killed on Irish roads so far this year.
According to the RSA, reducing speed by just 5 per cent could save almost 50 lives and prevent up to 100 serious injuries on Irish roads every year.
Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey, said the desire to reduce the "needless suffering" of families underpins the State's road safety strategies.
Meanwhile, gardaí are appealing to all road users to slow down and be vigilant over the June bank holiday weekend. There were four fatal crashes during the June bank holiday weekend last year, as well as 298 arrests for allegedly driving under the influence.
