Cllr Richard Daly (FG) today congratulated all involved in Road Safety on the continuing dramatic fall in the number of fatalities on our roads. Kildare was among the first counties to take the significant step of employing a full time Road Safety Officer who has been to the fore in promoting the Road Safety message which is beginning to reap reward.
“Road deaths in Ireland have fallen from 279 in 2008, to 239 in 2009 and to 212 in 2010. This represents a very significant drop in fatalities and spares so many families the torment of experiencing the loss of a loved one.
The fall in the number of fatalities can be attributed to increased enforcement, increased education and environment and engineering improvements for which many of us have long been campaigning for. The recent introduction of speed or safety cameras and the new powers for drug testing must be welcomed in making our roads safer.
No deaths are acceptable on our roads but Ireland’s driver awareness campaigns have exceeded European targets and at a time when our status in Europe is poor in economic terms, it is nice to see us to the fore in addressing our road carnage.
My congratulations to the Road Safety Authority, Kildare County Council and particularly Declan Keogh, Road Safety Officer and all who have promoted Road Safety.” Said Cllr Daly
