Alarm as nearly 50pc of deaths on Irish roads are under-30s

Almost half of Ireland’s road deaths this year have involved young people aged 30 and under. The shocking statistic came as it emerged that road deaths across Ireland have soared by 31pc in 2024.

A total of 63 people have died on Irish roads in the first 103 days of this year, with 26 (41pc) of those fatalities involving drivers, pedestrians, passengers and motorcyclists aged 30 and under.

The two most recent fatalities on Irish roads both involved young men.

Jake Mulcahy (19) died after a two-vehicle collision in Cork on Thursday, while Vincent O’Doherty (20) died after a collision outside Listowel, Co Kerry, on Wednesday.

Two men in their early 30s are now fighting for their lives after a separate two-vehicle collision in Kilkenny on Thursday evening, while a third man, aged in his 20s, is in a serious condition.

Road safety groups have warned that the large proportion of road deaths involving young people raises serious questions about driver education, safety campaigns, enforcement of regulations and operational resources.

Road Safety Authority (RSA) research warned that the highest risk age among road users in 2023 was those aged 1625. This group represented 26pc of total fatalities (48 deaths) and the figures represented an overall increase of 23 deaths compared to 2022.

At the current rate of traffic fatalities, Ireland is on course to record over 225 deaths by December 31, potentially making it the worst year for road safety in over a quarter-century.

Junior Transport Minister Jack Chambers confirmed that proposals on reform of the RSA will be brought before the Government within the next five months.

His remarks on reform came after a coalition of Irish road safety groups warned that the RSA was “no longer fit for purpose”.

Mr Chambers insisted the review is aimed at assessing whether the authority, which was established almost two decades ago, needs modernisation.

However, the Dublin TD bluntly acknowledged that Ireland urgently needed to address issues over the enforcement of road safety regulations.

“Enforcement levels have collapsed,” he said. “We need to see tangible allocations to (Garda) Roads Policing Units.”

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris ordered that all uniformed officers must now conduct at least 30 minutes of road safety policing work on each shift.

The garda roads policing director, assistant commissioner Paula Hilman, said the force was diverting newly recruited personnel into traffic units nationwide.

Garda chiefs also said they hope to have 75 more officers assigned to road policing units by December 31.

Parc road safety campaign group founder Susan Gray repeatedly expressed concerns over recent months about the steady decline in Garda Roads Policing Unit personnel numbers.

Personnel within dedicated road policing units have fallen by 40pc in a decade.

At peak levels, Garda RPUs boasted 1,046 personnel in 2014.

In 2022, Garda RPUs had 692 members but it has now fallen to 627 officers – its lowest level for over 15 years, with new personnel allocations failing to keep pace with retirements and departures to other service branches. Ms Gray has now called for reform of the driving testing regime, greater driver education and stricter enforcement of road safety regulations.

The Parc official warned that it was “beyond belief ” that some drivers were behind the wheel after receiving multiple learner permits and without ever having sat a driving test.

She said the alarming surge in road deaths should be treated as a priority by everyone in Government and road safety agencies. “What is worrying is that the (road fatality) numbers have been going in the wrong direction both in 2022 and in 2023,” Ms Gray said.

RSA chairperson Liz O’Donnell admitted the rise in road deaths was a matter of concern for everyone.

She said that RSA research has shown “high levels of non-compliance” on the roads, including speeding, use of mobile phones and driving while intoxicated.

“We cannot continue with this level of carnage on the roads. We’re gone back now – it is the highest in 10 years and we were doing really well internationally. We were the leading lights in road safety.”

Current figures indicate that almost 70pc of fatal collisions in Ireland occur between 7pm and 4am. Men are dying on Irish roads at a rate of five-to-one compared to women.

Road safety campaigner Christina Donnelly, who lost her son Brendan in a collision caused by a drunk driver, said it was “an insult” to hear about people getting behind the wheel while under the influence of drink or drugs.

“I have one thing to say to anyone who gets behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and to those who drive at such speed that they endanger themselves and others – shame on you,” she said.

“Those who still continue to drink and drive are an insult to the families and victims who have lost their lives due to drink driving.”

Ms Donnelly regularly visits schools to talk to young people about road safety.