Road deaths up, despite drop in cars on the road

THE number of deaths on Irish roads was up significantly last year, despite there being less traffic on the roads.

There were 148 fatalities in 2020 compared to 140 in 2019, according to figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO). However, there were 1,407 f ewer serious and minor injury collisions recorded – a 25% decrease compared to 2019.

The numbers from last month also showed traffic returning to almost normal levels in the runup to Christmas but then dropping again dramatically in the week after December 25.

A spokesman for the Road Safety Authority said: ‘While the number of road fatalities increased by eight, there were 1,407 fewer serious and minor injury collisions recorded – a 25% decrease compared to 2019.’

Junior transport minister, Hildegarde Naughton, said it has been a ‘disappointing year’ for road safety’.

RSA chairwoman Liz O’Donnell added that she was saddened by the increase in road deaths, particularly following the two safest years on record for road fatalities, 2018 and 2019.

However, she stressed: ‘Overall, our strategy to reduce road trauma is working. Between 2013 and 2019, Ireland saw a 26% reduction in road traffic fatalities, compared to just a 6% reduction across the whole of the EU 27.’

Meanwhile, Noreen Dorgan of the CSO said: ‘Since the week beginning December 20, car traffic volumes have once again started to decline and were 14.6% lower than the previous week at regional locations and 15.4% lower in Dublin.’