New data shows road deaths in the first half of 2023 are the worst they have recorded in six years.
Following the release of figures in the Preliminary Analysis of Road Traffic Failure, The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána have issued a warning to the Irish public.
They are advising that if current trends continue, upwards of 168 lives will be lost on Irish roads by the end of this year.
This new data shows that 23 young people between the ages of 16 and 25 were killed on our roads this year, with this age cohort making up one in four road deaths.
It also states that there has been a 10% increase in road fatalities compared to figures for the same period in 2022.
This worrying trend is seeing road safety progress reverse as 100 people have died in road fatalities so far this year as of today (August 1), showing an increase of 11 people from this time last year.
The report also highlights that around half (49%) of road deaths happen at night between the hours of 8pm and 8am, despite the roads being at their quietest at this time.
One in three fatalities have been recorded in Galway (11), Mayo (10), and Cork (9).
Following the publication of these alarming figures, the RSA and An Garda Síochána are appealing to all road users to be more vigilant on our roads.
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