Cork was among the worst counties for road traffic deaths last year, with one in every nine fatal collisions occurring along our roads.
This comes as the Road Safety Authority released its end-of-year statistics, which showed that 174 people lost their lives along our roads nationwide. The figure is down 4% from last year’s total. However, 2024 is still one of the worst years of the last decade in terms of fatalities.
A total of 19 fatal incidents occurred along roads in Cork, with only Dublin seeing more at 23 incidents. Cork is joint second with Mayo also recording 19 fatal collisions last year. The figures are based on RSA analysis of fatal collision reports from An Garda Síochána.
Minister of State with special responsibility for Road Safety, James Lawless said: “Every single one of these deaths on our roads is a tragedy.
“We extend deepest sympathies to the friends, families and communities affected by these losses. I would also like to pay tribute to the emergency services, first responders, hospital workers and others who do such incredible work helping people on the scene and in the aftermath of these events.”
The uptick in fatalities over the last two years has led to an increased focus on enforcing road safety rules. Next month, the default speed limit on rural roads will be decreased from 80 km/h to 60 km/h, among other changes.
Commenting on the upcoming changes, Minister Lawless continued: “This will tackle one of the biggest contributory factors to road collisions – speed.
“This year, we will also be moving into Phase 2 of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy, and it is incumbent on all of us to play our part in achieving our goal of halving deaths and serious injuries by 2030.”
The State’s fifth government Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 aims to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on Irish roads by 50% by 2030. By 2030, they aim to reduce deaths on Ireland’s roads to 72 or lower and reduce serious injuries on Ireland’s roads to 630 or lower.
The Department says this strategy is the first step in achieving the ‘Vision Zero’ commitment to eliminate all road deaths and serious injuries on Irish roads by the year 2050.
Gardaí say an increase in the number of checkpoints along our roads and the recent rollout of high-speed safety cameras in historically dangerous areas have already improved driver behaviour.
Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman said: “This slight reduction in the number of road fatalities on Irish roads, is of no solace to the families and loved ones of each one of the people that were killed in fatal road traffic collisions during 2024. I extend my deepest sympathies to all of those affected and at what must be a devastating time.
“An Garda Síochána has been working around the clock every day of this year to help keep road users safe. That work spans both education and enforcement. Gardaí have delivered our Lifesaver Project to thousands of adults and teenagers nationwide during 2024 in a hope of highlighting the dangers of poor driver behavior, and over the next twelve months we will extend that further.”
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