In 2023, Irish roads witnessed a tragic toll, with 184 lives lost, as reported by the Road Safety Authority (RSA). This marks the highest number of fatalities in nearly a decade, surpassing the 2014 figure of 192 casualties. The statistics reveal a concerning 19% increase in road deaths compared to 2022.
While the pandemic led to a decline in road fatalities, with 136 deaths in 2021 and 146 in 2020, the recent surge emphasises the need for proactive measures. RSA Chairperson Liz O’Donnell stressed the urgency, stating, “we must do more.”
O’Donnell welcomed the proposed introduction of a national strategy on camera-based enforcement, slated for prioritisation in 2024. She emphasised the significance of a consistent approach, a roadmap for implementation, and the identification of crucial resources to support this initiative.
Breaking down the 184 road deaths in 2023, the victims included 69 drivers, 44 pedestrians, 34 passengers, 26 motorcyclists, eight cyclists, and three e-scooter users. Notably, Tipperary, Dublin, Cork, Galway, and Mayo accounted for 39% of the total fatalities.
Key trends from 2023 reveal a disproportionate number of male fatalities (78%), a continuation of increased pedestrian fatalities, and a notable occurrence of fatalities during night-time when traffic is reduced. Of the 44 pedestrian deaths, the highest since 2011, almost half occurred between 8 pm and 8 am.
Chief Executive of the RSA, Sam Waide, highlighted the risks associated with weekends, late nights, and early mornings, noting higher incidents of collisions despite lower traffic volumes. New awareness and education initiatives, such as the recently launched Say It campaign, aim to address behaviours like drink and drug-driving and fatigue.
In Northern Ireland, road deaths rose to 70 in 2023, up from 54 in 2022 and 50 in 2021. The Department for Infrastructure and the PSNI issued a joint safety appeal, urging all road users to share responsibility for road safety in 2024.
Advocating for enhanced road safety enforcement, Susan Gray from PARC Road Safety Group called for increased deployment of Gardaí. Gray expressed concern over a decline in the number of Roads Policing Units members, noting a decrease from over 1,000 in 2009 to 641 in 2023.
The Department of Justice responded, highlighting that all frontline Gardaí contribute to road safety enforcement. It emphasised the commitment to ramping up Garda recruitment in 2024, with the budget allowing for 800-1000 new recruits.
In 2023, the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau conducted over 87,700 checkpoints, resulting in 7,707 arrests for driving under the influence, detecting approximately 200,000 speeding offenses, and issuing over 5,300 fixed penalty notices for not wearing seatbelts. Chief Superintendent Jane Humphries emphasised the collective responsibility to make Irish roads safer in 2024, calling for reflection on driving behaviours and a commitment to reducing road traffic collisions.
