Road deaths fall to lowest total since records began
Road crash ROAD deaths in Ireland fell to the lowest level on record last year.
A total of 158 people lost their lives on the country’s roads in 2017, 28 fewer (15%) than 2016.
The previous lowest since records began in 1959 was 162 in 2015.
Transport Minister Shane Ross said: “It is very encouraging to see we have reversed the upward trend in road deaths.
“The combined focus on improved legislation, greater enforcement and road safety campaigns all played their part.
“But while it is heartening to see 2017 was the lowest year on record, this is not good enough.
“We need to continue our efforts if we are to achieve the objective of reducing fatalities to 124 by 2020. Ultimately our aim should be zero deaths.”
Liz O’donnell, chairwoman of the Road Safety Authority, said: “The drop in deaths in 2017 is a very welcome development.
“Whatever the reason, the main factor was as a result of the decision of every road user to change their behaviour. For this I thank you.”
Assistant Garda Commissioner Michael Finn said: “All road users played a part in making this the safest year on record but we can never be complacent.” Louise with dancers at G-A-Y gig LOUISE Redknapp ditched her wedding ring for the first time since her divorce – before taking fans by storm with a solo gig.
She was still wearing it at a friend’s wedding hours before she divorced retired footballer Jamie, after 19 years, for unreasonable behaviour.
But it was gone when she hit the stage at London’s G-A-Y club in thighhigh boots, a plunging top and black jacket to relaunch her pop career on New Year’s Eve.
Louise separated from
Jamie soon after she reached the Strictly Come
Dancing final, when she said she wanted to get back to singing.
Her divorce with the ex-liverpool and England star took 20 seconds at
London’s
Louise with Jamie before split Family Court last Friday, following her pal’s reception in Liverpool.
And the mum of two was loving her new-found freedom as she belted out some of her old Eternal hits, accompanied by half-naked dancers, in her racy 2.30am performance.
Shortly before her divorce from Jamie, 44, Louise told how appearing on Strictly had transformed her after years of feeling like a “Stepford Wife”.
The 43-year-old singer, who has toured in Cabaret with Will Young, is planning a chart comeback and a tour this year.
And she says she has the full backing of her adoring sons Charley, 13, and Beau, nine. She said: “I’ve spent most of my life pleasing everyone else, worrying about being judged and thinking I should do the
right thing.”