The RSA publish road fatality figures for Tipperary as national number hits six-year high
Four people lost their lives on roads in Tipperary between January 1 and July 26.
That is according to a new report by the Road Safety Authority.
The report found that nationally road deaths in the first half of 2023 are the worst for six years.
95 road deaths have occurred so far this year, an increase of nine compared to last year.
Of the 95 fatalities in 2023, 39 were drivers, 18 were passengers, 22 were pedestrians, 13 were motorcyclists, 2 were cyclists and 1 was an e-scooter user.
649 serious injuries have occurred on roads in 2023, 163 less compared to the same period last year.
CEO of the RSA Sam Waide said:
“The figures released today are alarming. Clearly, the progress we have made in road safety over the last number of years is at risk. The evidence suggests that as a society we are losing momentum when it comes to road safety - with tragic consequences.
"If this continues, we could see 168 homes with an empty place at their table this Christmas time.
"We all have a duty - all parts of society and every road user - to do everything we can to reverse this trend and save lives. I hope today can mark the start of a fightback from all of us to regain the progress we had made and make the second half of 2023 safer for all road users.”
The RSA is warning the Irish public that, should current trends continue, as many as 168 lives will be lost on our roads this year.
Data made available from a Preliminary Analysis of Road Traffic Fatalities by the RSA (as of 26 July 2023) has highlighted a number of worrying trends, including:
Twenty-three young people aged 16-25 have lost their lives so far this year.
Almost the same number of 16-25 year olds killed (23) in the first half of 2023 as with same period in 2021 and 2022 combined (26).
Almost half (49%) of all deaths on the roads occurred at night-time (8pm-8am), when the roads are at their quietest.
Three counties (Galway - 11, Mayo – 10, and Cork - 9) accounted for almost one third of all fatalities.
As of this morning (August 1) there have been 100 deaths on the road. This is an increase of 11 fatalities compared to the same date last year.
The RSA and An Garda Síochána are appealing to all road users to be more vigilant on our roads.
RSA Chairperson Liz O’Donnell, said:
“We all need to reflect on these figures and re-evaluate our own behaviours and habits as a result. The smallest distraction, the temptation to get there quicker or to relax our vigilance can lead to the most awful consequences.
Taking simple road safety steps can have a potentially life-saving impact such as putting away the mobile phone when driving and driving within the speed limit. It is within all our power to prevent further lives being lost. We need everyone to adopt that spirit of collective action to help us reverse the devastating pattern of road trauma and save lives.”
The RSA is intensifying existing public education and awareness campaigns which target the main contributory factors for deaths and serious injuries and target high-risk groups.
This includes increased targeting of the younger male cohorts and upweighting regional advertising and education efforts to increase the impact on Cork, Galway and Mayo.
82% of fatalities were in men, and drivers were found to be most at risk.
However, there was a worrying trend upwards of passengers, pedestrian and motorcyclists.
Assistant Commissioner Roads Policing and Community Engagement, Paula Hilman, said:
“Road deaths are a tragedy for all affected. The figures published today starkly demonstrate that. An Garda Síochána are fully committed to playing our part in the comprehensive approach required to promote road safety and reverse the trend we are seeing in 2023.
"At both national and local level to working with road safety partners, local authorities, and communities, we are focussing on road safety design and engineering, technology, education, and targeted enforcement. Every fatality on our roads is one too many. We will play our part in keeping the roads safe for all.”
The RSA say this data is preliminary and subject to change.