Christmas road deaths increased sharply on 1994 holiday period

ALMOST twice as many people died in road accidents during this Christmas holiday period as in the same period in 1994, according to Garda statistics released yesterday.

Seven people died in road accidents and 120 were injured in the six days from midnight on Friday, December 22nd, to Thursday, December 28th. This shows a sharp increase compared to the same time in 1994 when four people were killed and 121 people were injured.

Statistics for the extended holiday period show that 15 people died in road traffic accidents between December 20th and New Year's Day, but there are no comparable figures for 1994. Seven of those who died were pedestrians.

The increases occurred during a period of very severe weather. Meanwhile there were indications that the number of people driving after drinking over the legal limit had dropped significantly this Christmas. Official statistics are not yet available but Garda stations reported fewer breathalyser tests and fewer arrests than in previous years.

In December 1994 525 motorists failed breathalyser tests.

Gardai also believe that if motorists could be persuaded to drive more slowly the number of serious traffic accidents could be reduced dramatically.

The National Safety Council was reluctant to comment until the figures for all of 1995 are available, but it is expected that the total number of road deaths will be higher than in 1994, when 404 people were killed. One report suggested the figures will show that almost 5 per cent more people died in 1995 than the previous year.

Road deaths for the first six months of 1995 were down appreciably on 1994, but the second six months of the year showed a sharp increase.

The rise is associated with the extended good weather during the summer months, which brought more motorists onto the roads, including drivers who use their cars only occasionally. There has also been an increase in the number of deaths of young drivers, because of alcohol or speeding or both, and with no other vehicle involved.

Last week the National Safety Council issued a set of guidelines to help people avoid accidents, particularly in the cold weather. Motorists were urged not to travel when the roads were icy unless it was essential.

The council highlighted the need for motorists to use dipped headlights during fog and at other times of poor visibility, and the need for their speed to take account of the weather and road conditions.

Cyclists were warned to wear an approved cycle helmet and have front and rear lights at night and during poor visibility. Joggers, cyclists and those who intended walking at night were urged to wear bright clothes and reflective bands.

One of the most unusual accidents over the holiday period resulted in the death of a 23 year old woman, Ms Siobhan Mulligan on December 21st Ms Mulligan had just got out of a car and was going into her home at New Road, Dundalk, when another vehicle crashed into the pillar of the gate at her house, fatally injuring her.

The victims of other accidents last month included

. December 20th Ned Kiely, killed crossing the road at Carrick Road, Portlaw, Co Waterford.

. December 21st Joseph Flaherty (48), killed crossing the Galway Headford road outside. Head ford, Co Galway.

. December 21st Peter Gartland, Ballymack, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, who died the day after a crash on the Carrickmacross Dundalk road.

. December 22nd killed in a crash at Castleisland, Co Kerry.

. December 22nd John Flynn killed crossing Tower Road, Clondalkin, Co Dublin.

. December 22nd Truck, driver John O'Halloran killed in collision with another truck at Golden, Co Tipperary.

. December 23rd Pat Fadian, of Achill, Co Mayo, killed in collision in Ballindine on the Mayo Galway border.

. December 23rd Motorcyclist Thomas En right killed in accident with another vehicle on the Dun Road, Ballybunion, Co Kerry.

. December 24th James Andrews (91), fatally injured crossing the road at Ballinteer Avenue, Co Dublin.

. December 24th Eighty seven year old pedestrian killed crossing the road at Glenbrack, Gort, Co Galway.

. December 26th Christine Farrington who died when her car skidded into the river in Tuam, Co Galway.