A further 180 people would die on the roads over the next six months if motorists' dangerous driving continued, the National Safety Council warned yesterday.
While the introduction of penalty points was initially followed by a fall in road deaths, new figures show that the overall fatality rate for the first six months of 2003 has returned to last year's level.
Since January this year, 174 people were killed and 783 people were seriously injured on the roads, compared to 180 deaths for the same period last year.
The chief executive of the National Safety Council, Mr Pat Costello, said a similar number of deaths for the remainder of the year could be expected because of motorists' "deplorable" behaviour on the roads.
"We continue to drive too fast, drink and drive, refuse to wear seat-belts and refuse to pay attention on the roads. We selfishly put our own lives and those of other road users at risk," he said,
The cost of fatal and serious injuries resulting from car crashes this year is estimated at around €352 million.
In response to the number of people failing to wear seat-belts, the Department of Transport yesterday confirmed that penalty points for the offence would be introduced from July 31st.
Failure to wear a safety-belt will carry two penalty points - and four if there is a conviction in court. Drivers accounted for 42 per cent of the death toll on the roads, passengers 18.5 per cent, motorcyclists 16 per cent - or almost one death a week - and pedestrians 20 per cent.
Mr Costello said that during the summer there would be added dangers which could lead to further pedestrian deaths, such as more children walking the roads.
He called on motorcyclists to complete an approved motorcycle training course.
Insurance companies are beginning to offer cheaper premiums to those who successfully complete the course.
The National Safety Council figures also show that 23 people died in fires so far this year, a decrease from 34 over the same period last year.
The elderly and children remain the groups most at risk of death from fires. Persons aged over 50 accounted for 52 per cent of fire-related deaths and children 22 per cent.
Research indicates that the most common causes of fatal fires are cigarettes or candles, while alcohol was also a factor in the lead-up to fires.
Mr Costello said most of these deaths could have been prevented if a working smoke alarm had been in the home.
"A working smoke alarm reduces the risk of death in a fire by nearly 50 per cent as it gives times to act before smoke and fumes build up to life-threatening levels," he said.
