Five local road fatalities in 2019

There were five road fatalities in Offaly last year, according to provisional figures released by the Road Safety Authority this week.

 Nationally, 148 lost their lives on Irish roads last year, compared to 142 in 2018, a four percent 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.

 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”.