30 August 2001: A total of 415 persons were killed and 12,431 injured in recorded injury accidents on Irish roads last year according to National Roads Authority statistics. The report “Road Accident Facts 2000” was compiled from information supplied by An Garda Siochana.

The 415 total represents an increase of two fatalities on the 1999 figure and includes a rise in the number of car users killed, from 236 to 260. Fatalities among pedestrians, motorcyclists, pedal cyclists and 'other' road users declined. A total of 189 male and 38 female drivers were killed. Some 55 young drivers (18-24) were killed, 50 of whom were male.

The number of pedestrians killed declined from 92 in 1999 to 85 - the lowest number in more than 40 years - accounting for 20% of total fatalities compared with 41% in 1970.

The number of pedal cyclists killed declined from 14 in 1999 to 10 in 2000. Pedal cyclists now comprise less than two and a half per cent of all road accident fatalities.

The number of motorcyclist fatalities declined from 43 in 1999 to 39 in 2000.

Ireland's rate of road deaths in 1999, at 11.0 per 100,000 population, is ranked joint seventh out of the 15 EU Member States.

The total number of serious injuries sustained by participants in road accidents fell from 1,867 in 1999 to 1,640 in 2000, while the total number of persons injured in road accidents declined from 12,340 to 12,043.

'Single vehicle only' collisions were reported in a third (33%) of all fatal road accidents. This represents a decline of three percentage points on the 1999 figure. Sixty-eight per cent of fatal accidents involving this collision type occurred between 8pm and 6am and 61% occurred either on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday. A total of 121 persons (or 29% of total) were killed between the hours of 9pm and 3am. - the hours most strongly associated with drink driving.

Factors identified by the Gardai as contributing to accidents (where specified) were: driver (82%), pedestrian (10%), road (4%), environment (3%) and vehicle (1%).

In fatal accidents involving two vehicles only the most often cited contributory factors were 'went to wrong side of road' (37%) and 'exceeded safe speed' (24%).

The cost of reported road accidents in 2000 is estimated at approximately £600 million based on fatalities and injuries sustained.

The NRA has allocated £14.5 million in 2001 for the accident counter measures programme, traffic calming in urban areas, improved road signage, lining and route lighting as well as the winter maintenance and ice detection system.