Published: Friday, 29th January, 2010 12:00pm

Eight road deaths in Laois/Offaly last year

There were eight road deaths in the Laois/Offaly Garda Division last year, the Garda Press Office confirmed yesterday (Thursday) afternoon.

Nationwide there was a decrease in the number of road deaths last year, with 2009 hailed as the safest year on Ireland's roads since road deaths were first recorded in 1959.

Provisional figures released by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) this month indicate that there were 240 road deaths in Ireland last year, 39 fewer fatalities compared to 279 in 2008.

In 2009 the Government's Road Safety Target of achieving no more than 252 deaths per annum by the end of 2012 was also achieved, three years ahead of schedule.

Commenting on the achievement Chairman of the Road Safety Authority Gay Byrne said: "There are 39 people alive and well today because road users made better choices in 2009. Choices not to speed, not to drive while tired and to wear a high visibility jacket when walking.

I want to pay tribute to the decent people of this country who have changed their attitudes and their behaviour for the better. We truly have an emerging ulture of road safety in Ireland. For that the credit goes to road users.

Your choices have saved lives and prevented injuries. Well done and please keep up your efforts in 2010."

"To those families who have lost loved ones I pledge that the Road Safety Authority will continue working to save lives so that others will never have to feel the pain and heartbreak you now cope with every day."