COUNTY Clare recorded a decrease in road fatalities in 2023, bucking the trend nationally as there was an almost 20 per cent increase in deaths on our roads last year.
Nationally, a total of 184 people died in 173 fatal collisions in 2023 compared to 155 deaths in 149 collisions in 2022. This represents an increase of 29 deaths or a 19% rise in road deaths compared to last year.
In Clare, six people died on our roads last year, compared to seven in 2022 and two in 2021.
The figures were published by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) on Monday, following an analysis of provisional fatal collision reports from An Garda Síochána.
Liz O’Donnell, Chairperson, RSA said: “It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the tragic loss of life on Ireland’s roads in 2023. We have had a difficult year in road safety. People are carrying huge grief with them; a grief that doesn’t go away and a void that cannot be filled in their lives. Any one life lost is one too many.
“We must do more, and I welcome the proposed introduction of a National Strategy on Camera Based Enforcement which, I understand, will be prioritised in 2024. A National Strategy will ensure a consistent approach to the selection and use of the different forms of camera technologies as well as supporting the development of a roadmap for the rollout of camera- based enforcement and ensuring that enablers such as funding and other critical resources are identified.”
The figures reveal a high proportion of male fatalities, a continuation of 2022’s increased level of pedestrian fatalities and a high number of fatalities taking place at night when there is less traffic on the roads. The majority of fatalities were male 78% (144), and 22% (40) were female. The number of pedestrian fatalities is slightly above 2022 (+1).
The last time there was a higher number of pedestrian fatalities was in 2011 (47). Almost half of fatalities occurred between 8pm and 8am, compared with 35% in 2022, despite lower traffic volumes during these hours. Over a quarter of fatalities were aged 16-25 years, compared with 16% in 2022. Almost half (46%) of fatalities occurred between Friday and Sunday, where known. There were 34 passenger fatalities in 2023, representing 18% of the total road deaths that occurred in 2023. Of the 184 road deaths in 2023, 69 were drivers, 44 were pedestrians, 34 were passengers, 26 were motorcyclists, 8 were cyclists and 3 were e-scooter users.
Compared to 2022, there has been an increase in fatalities among all road user groups: drivers (+11), passengers (+12), motorcyclists (+3), pedal cyclists (+1), pedestrians (+1) and other road users (+1). Tipperary (16), Dublin (15), Cork (15), Galway (13), Mayo (12) were the counties that recorded the highest number of deaths, accounting for 39% of the total fatalities.
Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jack Chambers, said: “2023 has been a heart-breaking and devastating year on Irish roads for so many families and communities all over Ireland. Our thoughts are with all those impacted as we head into a new year. We were able to progress a number of important reforms in 2023 which are specifically targeted at the lifesaver offences which we know are the main contributors to fatal road collisions. “The Road Traffic Bill received cabinet approval in December and we will be working to have this essential piece of legislation progressed through the Dáil in early 2024.
Work is well underway on a number of other initiatives in partnership with other Government departments and agencies to be delivered throughout this year. “I would also like to pay tribute and special thanks to our emergency services and first responders who do incredible lifesaving work in the most challenging circumstances
