FOUR people have died on Limerick roads as a result of three fatal crashes in the year to date – in all of 2012, there were five fatalities.
Nationally, as of August 12 last, 118 people lost their lives on Irish roads, an increase of seven on the corresponding date in 2012.
However, Gardai figures indicate that there has been a downturn in road fatalities and it is being attributed to “the enormous work done”.
Inspector Paul Reidy noted that one fatality in Limerick or any road was one too many but he said that there has been “a consorted effort” by the divisional traffic corp and the local units to target and reduce fatalities on our roads”.
“We have been targeting offences relating to speeding, drink and drug driving as well as those driving on learner permits to change the habits of our road users.”
This, Inspector Reidy said, has “paid off in the downward spiral of road deths since 2009.”
I23 people died on Limerick roads in 2009 while 18 and 15 died in 2010 and 2011 respectively.
“There were five fatalities last year and while the numbers of serious injuries recorded last year was high at 336, this year we are on target to have a considerable reduction in that figure”.
Warnings are also being issued to motorists who continue to drive under the influence of an intoxicant, while tired and those who speed.
Failing to wear a seatbelt, or holding a mobile phone whilst driving are described by gardai as “examples of high risk behaviour which continue to be major contributory factors to road deaths”.
The figures in neighbouring counties tells a varied story with two road deaths recorded in Clare for 2013, four in north Cork, eight in Kerry and ten in Tipperary for the same period.
Concluding, Inspector Reidy encouraged drivers to further take care on the roads.
“We would appeal to all road users to be conscious of safety and hopefully we will be able to keep the number of fatalities low if not improve on it,” he concluded.
2013 National Garda incidents YTD
Driving while intoxicated incidents 4,542
MAT Checkpoints 42,915
Total breath tests at MAT checkpoints 249,793
Road Transport incidents 2,171
Dangerous Driving 1,766
Section 41 Detention of Vehicles 11,786
Speeding 95,820
Seatbelts 5,974
Mobile Phones 12,898
