merrion street

The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter TD, today commended the Gardaí for their important role in the reduction in road deaths.

Provisional road casualty figures for 2012, published on 1 January 2013, show that a total of 161 people tragically lost their lives on Irish roads in 2012. This is 25 fewer fatalities compared to 186 deaths in 2011 and 51 fewer deaths compared to 2010 when 212 people lost their lives on the roads.

Speaking today Minister Shatter said “I would like to thank the Gardaí for the important job they do in policing our roads and contributing to the record reduction in road deaths. Targeted road safety measures have resulted in a consistent reduction in road deaths over the past seven years with provisional 2012 figures showing a record low in road deaths.

Minister Shatter continued “The policing priorities I have set for the year ahead include a focus on continuing to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads and this is reflected in the Commissioner's Policing Plan 2013. The road safety camera network plays a key part in this, with cameras deployed to locations where there is an established or prospective risk of collisions. Enforcement measures on their own are not enough, however, and I would again appeal to all road users, and particularly younger drivers, to drive responsibly. We must all work together if we are to maintain and improve on the progress made in reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads."