Published: Fri, 06 September 2013
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Sean Kelly MEP is calling on Irish motorists to slow down and for pedestrians to take extra care.
“Summer time is often a tragic time on Irish roads and unfortunately, many families have been devastated by resulting deaths again this year,” the Ireland South MEP said today.
“EU-wide, 28,000 road fatalities occurred in 2012. It is estimated that for every death on Europe’s roads there are 10 serious injuries and 40 more slightly injured.
“So every year, a quarter of a million people are seriously injured in road accidents in the EU, according to the European Commission. The most commons serious road injuries are head and brain injuries, followed by injuries to the legs and spine.
“Pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists need to be very aware while using roadways at this time of year. A serious injury can have life changing consequences for the victims and their families.
“Every road user has a responsibility to help make our roads safer and if everyone reduced their speed, I believe we could save more lives,” Mr Kelly added.
The EU figures follow provisional road fatality figures from the RSA which show that 93 people were killed in the first six months of 2013 – one more than the same period last year. Unfortunately, there have been more lives lost on Irish roads recently.
“The latest estimates forecast global road death figures will rise to over 2 million by 2020 unless action is taken.
“Road traffic injuries are the leading killer of 10-25 year olds worldwide. I am urging all motorists, young and old, to take extra care when driving for their lives and that of their passengers and pedestrians using the roadways,” Mr Kelly concluded.
