THE DEATH of an 80-year-old pedestrian in Co Cork early yesterday morning brings to 275 the number of people killed on roads in the Republic, 63 fewer than last year.
However, statistics released by the Garda press office also show there were 173,251 detections for speeding this year.
Gardaí have appealed to motorists to keep to the speed limits and "observe personal responsibility" in their driving behaviour to protect their own and others' lives.
In yesterday's road crash, Annie Deasy died when she was struck by a car as she crossed the road at Little Island, Owenahincha in Rosscarbery at 12.30am.
Ms Deasy, from Galley Head, Clonakilty, had reportedly just left a céilí when the incident occurred. The driver, a man in his 20s, was uninjured.
Garda Supt Pat Maher offered his sympathy to the family of the deceased and appealed for anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact Clonakilty gardaí on (023) 21570.
Mayor of Clonakilty Cllr Michael O'Regan also extended his sympathies to the family and said "it is very sad for them, particularly at this time of year".
Figures released by the Garda press office, including the death of Ms Deasy, showed that 338 people died in the same period last year, compared to 275 this year.
In a statement the press office said there was "no room for complacency" because the statistics also showed the 173,251 cases of speeding detected this year. "Inappropriate speed is the single greatest contributory factor in road deaths and serious injuries."
Gardaí are also deploying "a number of automatic number plate recognition systems in each Garda division", which will help identify persistent road offenders. "This will further assist the Garda objective in saving lives and bringing about a greater compliance culture."
Gardaí also urged drivers "to slow down and remember that as a general rule a 1km/h decrease in average speed results in a 2 per cent reduction in minor injury collisions, a 3 per cent reduction in serious injury collisions and a 4 per cent reduction in fatal collisions".
Roads which have the greatest propensity for speed-related collisions have been identified and compiled from data over the past decade.
The Garda will continue "to introduce new enforcement technology which will be deployed in locations where there is the greatest propensity for speed-related collisions and where it will have the greatest impact".
"As we approach 2009, An Garda Síochána is appealing to all motorists to respect the speed limits and exercise greater personal responsibility for their driving behaviour thereby protecting their own lives, their passengers and all other road users."