Caution urged on rural Kilkenny roads despite drop in road fatalities
Kilkenny motorists are being reminded that the majority of fatal road collisions happen on rural roads.
More that four out of every five road deaths happen in rural locations and Kilkenny drivers are being asked to drive with care and attention every time they make a journey.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána today published a review of Irish road safety for the first six months of the year.
It shows 65 people died on Irish roads in 60 collisions, 12% fewer deaths compared to the same period in 2020. Just one of these occurred in Kilkenny.
A significant majority of fatalities happened outside of urban areas, with 82% of deaths occurring on rural roads with a speed limit of 80km/h or higher.
The time between 12noon and 4pm was the riskiest on Irish roads, accounting for 31% of fatalities to date this year. The number of fatalities occurring at the weekend decreased by a quarter versus last year.
Minister of State for Transport, Hildegarde Naughton said: “Any reduction in lives lost on Irish roads is to be welcomed; however, the increase in fatalities on rural roads is very concerning.
“Behavioural changes due to the pandemic, such as remote working, are visible in the collision patterns this year. The traditional rush hour periods are less pronounced in the road safety statistics compared to pre Covid-19 and we have seen a huge drop in collisions happening overnight.
“ With our roads busier than ever as people holiday across the island, we all need take care and be mindful of other road users on every trip,” Minister Naughton concluded.
