Part of the N59 in Galway near Leenaune is the most dangerous stretch of road in Ireland according to new data.
The N59 east of Kylemore Lough between Clifden and Leenaune has the highest collision rate of any road in Ireland according to Gamma Location intelligence.
Collision rates are measured by the number of road accidents, collisions with injuries, which occur per 100 million vehicle kilometres.
A vehicle kilometre is a measure based on the number of vehicles using a road segment and its length.
This survey of accident blackspots was carried out by Gamme Location Intelligence using data from Transport Infrastructure Ireland, and was restricted to motorways and national roads.
The N59 at Leenaune was by far the worst area recorded with a collision rate of 1131, more than twice as high as the next worst road in Wexford, Between Abbey Square Roundabout and Seamus Rafter Bridge in Enniscorthy, which has a rate of 588.
This research carries a dire warning about the state of roads in Galway, as eight of the top 20 accident blacks spots were all here, and all on the N59.
The N59 shows up on this same list a tenth time in Mayo, just north of the border with Galway.
The full list of the worst accident blackspots with their collision rate in brackets is:
- Galway – N59, east of Kylemore Lough, from Clifden to near Leenaun, 3.7km west of junction with R344 (1131)
- Wexford – Between Abbey Square Roundabout and Seamus Rafter Bridge in Enniscorthy (588)
- Longford – Killashee Street, Ballymahon Street and New Street junction in Longford town (281)
- Galway – N59, 1.3km west of Letterfrack (259)
- Tipperary – N62, southeast of Roscrea, directly northeast of junction with R445 (251)
- Galway/Mayo – N59, crossing at Galway-Mayo border (249)
- Galway – N59, 1.8km west of Moyard (236)
- Clare – N67, 1.3km north of junction with R484 (235)
- Clare – N67, junction with R477 (220)
- Galway – N59, junction with R344 (217)
- Mayo – N59, south of Aasleagh, directly north of Galway border (216)
- Galway – N59, 1.1km northeast of Letterfrack (200)
- Clare – N67, directly south of junction with R482 (197)
- Cork – Washington Street to Merchant’s Quay (197)
- Galway – N59, 3km west of junction with R336 (195)
- Galway – N59, 1.5km north of Leenaun, directly south of Mayo border (191)
- Clare – N67, 2.9km north of junction with R484 (187)
- Waterford – N72, north of Tallowbridge, directly west of junction with R634 (184)
- Leitrim – N16, bridge over the Glenfarne River, 1.1km west of junction with R281 (184)
- Cork – N72, junction with R630, north of Fermoy (167)
“Overall, according to the data provided by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, collision rates are decreasing across the country,” said Director of Location Intelligence for Gamma Richard Garry.
“However, there are specific stretches of roads where the frequency of collisions is still high.”
“Not only does this analysis show drivers where they need to take extra care; it is also useful for insurance companies as it identifies the areas which are worst for road accidents and enables them to better assess risk.”
The data they gathered also showed the most dangerous segment of road in each county, with safety levels varying wildly.
- Carlow – N81, at the Yellowford Cross Roads, 3km north of Rathvilly (46)
- Cavan – N55, 1.5km south of Ballinagh (161)
- Clare – N67, 1.3km north of junction with R484 (235)
- Cork – Washington Street to Merchant’s Quay, junction with R258 (197)
- Donegal – N56, bridge over the Clady River, junction with R258 (125)
- Dublin – M50, Exit 5 (51)
- Galway – N59, east of Kylemore Lough, 3.7km west of junction with R344 (1131)
- Kerry – N23, junction with N22 (119)
- Kildare – Duke Street and Leinster Street junction in Athy (115)
- Kilkenny – N78, through Castlecomer (110)
- Laois – N78, directly north of junction with R431 (92)
- Leitrim – N16, bridge over the Glenfarne River, 1.1km west of junction with R281 (184)
- Limerick – N24, junction with Limerick South Ring Road (71)
- Longford – Killashee Street, Ballymahon Street and New Street junction in Longford town (281)
- Louth – N2, through Ardee, from junction with R170 to junction with N33 (73)
- Mayo – N59, south of Aasleagh, directly north of Galway border (216)
- Meath – N52, through Carlanstown (61)
- Monaghan – N54, through Clones, 1km from Northern Ireland border (97)
- Offaly – N62, north of Kennedy’s Cross Roads, 3km north of Birr (112)
- Roscommon – Bridge Street and Shop Street junction in Boyle (107)
- Sligo – Duck Street in Sligo town centre (164)
- Tipperary – N62, southeast of Roscrea, directly northeast of junction with R445 (251)
- Waterford – N72, north of Tallowbridge, directly west of junction with R634 (184)
- Westmeath – N52, halfway between Delvin and Mullingar, 4.8km southwest of Delvin (77)
- Wexford – Between Abbey Square Roundabout and Seamus Rafter Bridge in Enniscorthy (588)
- Wicklow – N81, south of Poulaphouca Bridge, 1.8km north of junction with R411, just east of Kildare border (76).
