Road deaths rose 13% overall :Cork and Dublin recorded the highest number of deaths

Dublin: According to statistics from the Road Safety Authority, there was a 13% increase in road fatalities in 2022.

As per the RSA's preliminary statistics, 149 road crashes resulted in 155 fatalities in 2022 as opposed to 124 crashes that resulted in 137 fatalities.

According to the statistics, 41 pedestrians died on Irish roads last year, which is almost twice as many as the 21 pedestrians who perished in 2021.

The majority of fatalities—39%—were caused by drivers, who were responsible for 60 deaths in 2022.

22 passenger fatalities were recorded last year, up from 18 in 2021, a 22% increase.

Similar to 2021, seven cyclists were killed overall in 2018. The data also reveals that over 1,290 major injuries were reported up to December 29, a modest decrease from over 1,340 up until the same time in 2021.

13% Rise In Road Deaths Recorded In 2022

Full details ➡️ https://t.co/tjfHPReNsV

⚫ 2022 sees doubling of pedestrian deaths
(1/3) pic.twitter.com/2eUEQpLl8U

— RSA Ireland (@RSAIreland) January 1, 2023

With 13 each, Cork and Dublin had the highest number of fatalities, while Limerick had 10 such fatalities.

Where it was possible to establish the use of a seatbelt or not among drivers and passengers killed, a total of 19% were found not to have been wearing a seatbelt. Following a review of garda's preliminary fatal collision reports, the statistics were released.

Jack Chambers, a minister of state in the Department of Transportation, stated that he was "extremely concerned" about the amount of traffic fatalities.

"Concerning is also the high rate of pedestrian fatalities, who are among our community's most vulnerable road users. In 2023, if we all work together, we can stop this trend."

President of the RSA Liz O'Donnell stated that the RSA "weren't anticipating that" and that she is "especially disturbed by pedestrian deaths."

Speaking on RTÉ's This Week, she asserted that although the statistics were preliminary and several fatalities were still under garda investigation, "speed is a factor in pedestrian deaths."

"Nine out of ten pedestrians will die if you hit them at 60 km/h. Nine out of ten of them will live if you hit them at 30 km/h. Speed has a significantly negative effect on these pedestrian deaths".

Research, according to her, indicates that people do not adhere to speed limits. The RSA, according to Ms. O'Donnell, "urges the Government to review all national speed limits."

She said it is a concern "especially on the 80km/h routes since that's where the majority of fatal collisions happen, and at the present that is under consideration by the Government and we welcome that," adding that on those roads she "would assume it would have to fall down to 60."