The terrible tragedy in Monaghan during the week, involving the loss of two young lives, is a reminder of the dreadful cost of road fatalities. Unfortunately, figures published by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) this week show that this is not a once-off. Trends have worsened this year, with a worrying rise in deaths on the roads, including among younger people. Ireland needs to renew its efforts to promote road safety, a job that involves us all whether as drivers, passengers, cyclists or pedestrians.
The RSA figures show that fatalities in the first seven months of the year are the highest in the past six years, with a quarter of all road deaths being among those aged 16 to 25 years of age. Up to July 22nd there were 95 fatalities, 9 more than in the same period last year; 23 of these deaths were among 16 to 25 year-olds, up from 16 in 2022. Illustrating the scale of the problem, there have been five more road deaths in the few days since the figures were compiled, including the two young women in Clones, bring the total to 100.
Road fatalities declined during the Covid years, reflecting less travel during lockdown. But trends since then have been worrying and the number of deaths this year is on course to reach around 168, which would be the highest since 2016. Huge progress had been made over many years in reducing fatalities and it is essential that the reversal of this trend does not continue. Not surprisingly, drivers are most at risk, but the numbers of deaths for passengers , motorcyclists and pedestrians have also risen. Rural areas – notably Galway and Mayo – are being hit hard and the percentage of fatalities occurring between 8pm and 8am is rising.
What we don’t know, of course, are the reasons for these concerning figures, beyond a general increase in traffic volumes. A rise in young male fatalities may well be related to inexperienced driver travelling at high speed. It is probably a fair assumption that people’s increased attachment to mobile phones – and checking them constantly – is also a factor. Speeding and drink driving remain serious problems.
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As the RSA says, Ireland is in danger of losing momentum on road safety. The organisation is targeting some of the areas highlighted by the figures in its education and advertising campaigns, including younger male drivers and those in some rural counties. Local authorities also need to focus on blackspots, while there is always a place for enforcement drives, even if it is difficult to undertake them on the less-used rural roads where many crashes are happening.
As ever with road safety, personal responsibility is key, including not speeding, not drinking, avoiding distractions and taking care. The fall-out from the crash in Monaghan shows the devastating impact on families and communities when lives are lost. We all need to do more to save lives on the road.