Road deaths fall to record low

THE NUMBER of people killed on Irish roads last month was the lowest on record.

THE NUMBER of people killed on Irish roads last month was the lowest on record.

Provisional figures show that nine people lost their lives, the smallest number since records began in 1959. Previously the lowest monthly recorded figure was in December 2010 when 10 people lost their lives.

Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar praised motorists for driving safely. “While one death is one too many, it is very important that we acknowledge the efforts of all road users in making April 2011 the safest on record,” he said.

Noel Brett, chief executive of the Road Safety Authority, said “For the last five years road deaths have dropped year on year. Last year a total of 213 died on our roads. This year we should all aim to get road deaths below 200.”

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Assistant Garda Commissioner John Twomey urged motorists to continue to be vigilant.

Separately a 25-year-old man died on Saturday when the motorcycle he was riding hit a barrier in Co Cork. The incident occurred on the N8 at Curraghprevin at 3.15pm.