Liam Reid
The number of people killed on Irish roads last year was the lowest in 40 years, according to provisional figures released yesterday.
According to the figures from the Department of Transport there were 341 road deaths in Ireland, 35 fewer than in 2002, and 117 fewer than in 1998. The figure is the lowest since 1964, when 341 people also lost their lives.
The reduction in road deaths has also been accompanied by a 20 per cent drop in serious injuries and admissions to accident and emergency departments. Claims to insurance companies have also declined by 20 per cent according to Department of Transport.
The introduction of the penalty-points system in 2002 is being credited as the main factor in the reduction in road deaths during 2003. The figures show that since the introduction of the penalty- points system for drivers in October 2002, there have been 68 fewer road deaths than the corresponding period in the previous 14 months.
More than 80,000 drivers have incurred penalty points during that period. The system is due to be substantially widened later this year with a total of 64 road traffic offences to incur points. Offences to come under the penalty points scheme include the use of hand held mobile phones while driving, dangerous overtaking and careless driving.
The Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, said yesterday that the Government's road safety campaign would be intensified this year. A priority is expected to be the targeting of the licensing regime for motorcyclists, who now account for 20 per cent of road injuries. The introduction of random breath testing is also planned, along with a roll-out of speed cameras across the country. An overhaul of the provisional licensing system has also been promised, along with the establishment of a Driver Testing and Standards Authority.
Welcoming the reduction in road deaths last year, Mr Brennan said that the Government "cannot afford to become in any way complacent".