Fatal journeys: why road safety is going in the wrong direction

It’s been a week of tragedy on Irish roads. Nine people lost their lives in just six days prompting an outpouring of grief, not only in the communities of those who died but across the country.

It’s been a week also when the Road Safety Authority released its figures for road deaths for the year so far and, as Irish Times reporter Mark Hilliard tells In the News, they make for stark and concerning reading.

As of August 29th there have been 124 fatalities on Irish roads in 2023; or 26 more deaths (up 27 per cent) when compared to provisional Garda data for the same period in 2022. The data also shows an increasing number of fatalities among passengers and pedestrians. Almost half of fatalities occurred between 8pm-8am and road deaths are highest in Tipperary, Galway, Mayo and Cork. RIAC boss Conor Faughnan looks at the reasons for the rise in road deaths. Produced by John Casey. Presented by Bernice Harrison