The number of people killed on Galway’s roads rose in 2018 as it dropped nationwide.
There were eight road deaths on Galway’s roads last year according to the RSA, up from five in 2017.
Overall road fatalities declined around the country, with 2018 being the safest year on the roads since 1959.
By years’ end 149 people had been killed on the roads in 141 fatal crashes, down from 156 lives lost in 2017.
Ms Liz O’Donnell, Chairperson of the RSA said, “2018 saw the introduction of very important road safety legislation.”
“If motorists comply with these new provisions it will translate into lives saved and injuries prevented.”
The number of gardaà dedicated to roads policing increased in 2018 and An Garda SÃochána have pledged to increase them again this year.
The figures for 2018 show one area of tragedy as the number road deaths involving pedestrians went up dramatically this year.
There were 41 pedestrians killed in road traffic collissions, up from 31 the in 2017.
Shane Ross, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport said, “Although the figures are marginally improved, they are not good enough.
“Speed continues to kill, 130,000 drivers were detected committing speeding offences in 2018.”
“Drink driving persists and unaccompanied learner drivers continue to break the law.”
“Reckless road users cannot be allowed to ruin the lives of innocent others and their families.”
The RSA called for this year to see funding given for the rollout of new smartphone and in-vehicle technology for gardaà commonly called the Garda Mobility Project.
This would make it easy for individual gardaà to check drivers’ license and insurance status at the roadside which would help detect offences like disqualified or uninsured drivers.
Assistant Commissioner Dave Sheehan, Garda National Roads Policing Unit, An Garda SÃochána said, “I want to take this opportunity to thank the majority of law abiding road users who acted responsibly in 2018.”
