A total of 201 people have died on roads across the island of Ireland this year, official figures from both sides of the border have shown.
In Northern Ireland, PSNI figures recorded 49 deaths by October 10th after motorcyclist Ciaran Hurl (26) died after a crash with a lorry in Toomebridge.
This also meant that 18 more people had died on Northern Ireland roads than the same time last year, with 28 by August 16 in 2022 and 27 by the same date in 2021.
In the Republic, the levels have now reached 145 following the death of four young people, including two siblings, in Co Tipperary
Luke McSweeney (24), his 18-year-old sister Grace along with friends Zoe Coffey and Nicole Murphy (both 18), had been on their way to a Leaving Cert celebration when their car crashed in Clonmel.
Ireland's Road Safety Authority had already warned that the 2023 figures for January to July were the highest for six years, projecting there could be 168 deaths in the Republic by the end of the year.
The PSNI's Chief Inspector Graham Dodds said earlier this month that a lack of attention, excessive speed for the conditions and drink or drug-driving were behind most crashes.
On one day, August 12, he said a driver had been caught doing 104mph after drinking, while a restricted driver was speeding at 96mph above their permitted 45mph limit.
Read more
- Young motorcyclist who died in Toomebridge crash named as Ciaran Hurl (26)
- Drivers urged to slow down as road death toll rockets to 46
- Hundreds attend vigil in memory of four young people killed in Clonmel crash
- Funerals to be held for Co Monaghan crash victims as school pays tribute to 'best friends'
- Girl (3) knocked down and killed in Portlaoise collision
- Road accident victim was father-of-three
Calling the latest figures "quite shocking," he also reminded the public that crashes devastated families and left others with serious or life-changing injuries.
“These figures show that we, as a society, we are still not taking road safety seriously enough. The responsibility for making our roads a safer place remains one that we all share."
In the Republic, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána also issued a new safety appeal as the new school term starts.
Assistant Commissioner, Paula Hilman, Roads Policing and Community Engagement, An Garda Síochána said: “All road users, especially drivers, will need to be exceptionally vigilant as students return to school.
"I want to urge parents, when dropping and collecting students from school, not to create a hazard by double parking or parking on yellow lines, which is an offence and causes potentially dangerous obstructions around the school gate.
"It is also vital that motorists reduce their speed near schools and ensure they give plenty of space when overtaking any children traveling to school by walking or cycling.
"Drivers should always obey instructions of school wardens as they are there to protect children when crossing the road.”
