The Road Safety Authority has admitted this morning that it is concerned over the rise in road deaths so far this year. Brian Farrell, head of communications with the organisation told Northern Sound that figures are higher this year when compared with the same period last year.
He says there have been six deaths recorded in Cavan and Monaghan and driver behaviour must change if those figures are to come down. Mr Farrell highlighted that we all need to become more mindful of the fact that using the road is one of the 'most dangerous things' that we do every day.
He says the RSA's target is to reduce fatalities and injuries, not see them increase. "We have a road safety strategy that has a target of reducing the number of people killed and injured by 50% by the end of this decade.
"One of the main actions in the strategy calls for a review of the penalties that we have for road traffic offences to see if they are a deterrent and fit for purpose. The fact is that we have had a worrying increase in road deaths this year - 123 people have lost their lives on Irish roads," added Mr Farrell.
