A third of drivers killed did not have seatbelt on
Shocking statistic revealed as minister calls for end to complacency
MORE than a third of drivers killed on the our roads so far this year were not wearing a seatbelt.
And transport chiefs warned that up to 100 more people will be killed on the roads before the end of the year if current trend continues.
So far this year 101 people have been killed in road crashes, down 22 from the same time last year, according to a review published by the Road Safety Authority and gardaí.
But at the launch of a safety review yesterday, Transport Minister Pascal Donohoe warned about the potentially fatal consequences of not wearing a seatbelt, with 25 per cent of passengers killed this year also not wearing one.
He said: ‘In the review we published today, it’s clear that just over one third of drivers who lost their lives on our roads did so by not wearing a seatbelt. The message today is really clear that all of the authorities involved in road safety will continue to do all they can to make our roads safer.’
He added: ‘To see that 37 per cent of drivers who very tragically lost their lives this year on our roads were not wearing seatbelts is a real reminder to all of us about the need to refocus our efforts and that when anybody gets into a car they put their seatbelt on.’
Safety chiefs reiterated that despite the drop in deaths, there is no room for complacency, with younger and older drivers remaining a high-risk group. While there has been a reduction in the number of pedestrians killed on our roads there is concern about visibility.
Ten of the 12 pedestrians killed between January and July were not wearing any high-visibility clothing. The highest number of driver fatalities was recorded in Cork, where six people have been killed. A total of 92 people died in 87 crashes between January and July this year.
Although the figure is down, with 21 fewer deaths on the same period last year, there are fears of a mounting death toll based on the spike in collisions last month.
Last month was the worst month of the year with 20 fatalities, while the number of average monthly deaths was 13. Sunday was the worst day for fatalities this year, compared to midweek in 2014.
Speaking at the launch of the review, Mr Donohoe said there are signs that measures taken in relation to penalty points and the continued efforts of gardaí and the RSA are having on effect on behaviour.
However he added it was sobering and tragic to have to acknowledge how many people have already lost their lives on our roads this year and the likelihood that more people will before t he end of t he year. Driving too fast remains a common danger and gardaí say that 88,409 drivers have been detected for speeding so far this year.
Some 13,560 people have been caught using a mobile phone while driving, while 3,666 motorists were found to have been drink driving. Up to July 31, 41 drivers, 16 passengers, 18 pedestrians, 12 motorcyclists and five cyclists have been killed on the country’s roads.
Reductions in road deaths were most evident in road-users aged 15 years or younger (down 11), vehicle occupants (down nine) and vulnerable road users.
Sunday was the worst day for fatalities to date this year, compared to mid-week in 2014. This year, more fatalities have occurred in the afternoon and evening (from 4pm to 10pm) than any other time period.
April had the lowest number of monthly fatalities since November 2012 with eight fatalities.
However, July was the most dangerous month, with 20 lives lost on our roads.
Superintendent Con O’Donohue, of the Garda National Traffic Bureau, said that bad decisions and taking risks on the roads cost lives.
He added: ‘It’s about personal responsibility and road users need to realise that when you take risks on the road like speeding, drink or drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt or proper personal safety gear, you are putting your life and the lives of others at stake.
‘So make sensible choices every time you use the roads – or the consequences could be tragic.’
‘The consequences could be tragic’