The number of deaths occurring on the roads of the Republic is on the decrease with fatalities for the first six months of 2015 close to record lows.
This is despite the resurgence in the economy and the increase in traffic on the roads that it brings about, according to the Road Safety Authority.
Some 72 people have lost their lives since the start of the year, 24 fewer deaths than at the same time last year.
Road deaths had been falling since 2008 as a range of measures were introduced, including the expansion of the motoring penalty points system and random breath-testing credited with bringing about a culture shift in attitudes towards drink-driving.
However, it appeared the impact of those measures had begun to wane in 2013 as there were also fewer Garda resources for road traffic enforcement operations.
In 2013 road deaths increased for the first time since, moving above 180 fatalities again, to 188. And last year the figures increased again, to 196.
However, with such a pronounced fall to date this year, Garda sources are hopeful a downward trend will reappear for this year. If it were, fatalities of the full year will fall to around 140.
Speaking at event in Dublin this morning to encourage companies and other organisations with large vehicle fleets to increase road safety measures and enhance training for staff, Minister for Transport Paschal Donohoe said he was hopeful the pattern in the first six months of the year would continue. However, he warned there was no room for complacency.
“The figures demonstrate that no country can rest on its laurels; we need constant vigilance and policies that evolve to tackle new challenges.”
He added companies and other agencies with vehicle fleets needed to be very safety conscious because one in three road collisions was work related and road traffic collisions were the biggest cause of workplace deaths.
Moyagh Murdock of the RSA said it was clear the economic recovery was resulting in heavier traffic.
“So if you employ two people or 500 people and some of your staff drive as part of their job, you have a responsibility to provide them with a safe working environment, both in the office and on the road.”
