Offaly ranked 3rd worst in country

Offaly has been ranked as the third worst performing county in Ireland in terms of changing road fatality figures since 2007.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has published a report on the number of road deaths in each county from 2007 to 2013. It shows that there has been no decrease in the number of road fatalities in Offaly during that period. Nationally a 44 per cent reduction in road fatalities has been recorded over the same time period.

According to the figures 24 drivers, three HGV drivers, six motorcyclists, one cyclist and three pedestrians have been killed on Offaly roads since 2007.

Commenting on the report’s findings, RSA chief executive Moyagh Murdock has urged everyone to keep road safety in mind every time they use the road.

“All it takes to make a difference is for one person to say ‘I’m going to change my behaviour on the roads so that I can keep myself and others safe when we’re sharing the road together’,” she said.