Seven die on Westmeath and Roscommon roads

There were three road fatalities in Westmeath last year and four in Roscommon, according to provisional figures released by the Road Safety Authority this week.

148 lost their lives on Irish roads last year, compared to 142 in 2018, a four per cent year on year rise. The year 2018 was the safest year since records began in 1956.
The figures, which were published by the Road Safety Authority (RSA), following an analysis of provisional fatal collision reports by An Garda Síochána, show that while there has been a sharp drop in pedestrian deaths, down 15 or 36%, and passenger deaths, down four or 20%, there has been a worrying increase in the number of drivers killed, up 25 or 45%, compared to 2018.

July and August (9 each) had the lowest number of fatalities in 2019. September (20) and December (16) were particularly dangerous. 

The average number of deaths per month in 2019 (12) is the same as the monthly average in 2018 (12). Sunday (32) was the most dangerous day in 2019, followed by Friday (26) and Thursday (25).
Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross said that the only way to respond to the increase in road deaths “is through action not words”.