Responsibility for the compilation and maintenance of road safety statistics rests with the Road Safety Authority (RSA). However, the number of pedestrian fatalities on our roads from 2010 to 2014, reported to me by the RSA on Friday, 21st November, is:
Number of Pedestrian Fatalities by Road Type 2010 - 2012
-
|
2010
|
2011
|
2012
|
Total
|
Two-way single carriageway
|
31
|
40
|
24
|
95
|
One-way single carriageway
|
1
|
1
|
3
|
5
|
Dual carriageway
|
5
|
4
|
1
|
10
|
Motorway
|
4
|
2
|
1
|
7
|
Unknown
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
Total
|
44
|
47
|
29
|
120
|
Number of Pedestrian Fatalities by Road Type 2013 - 2014*
-
|
2013
|
2014**
|
Total
|
Local
|
8
|
13
|
21
|
Rural
|
14
|
11
|
25
|
National
|
8
|
5
|
13
|
Motorway
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
Unknown
|
0
|
3
|
3
|
Total
|
31
|
32
|
63
|
* 2013 and 2014 provisional figures
** 2014 figures are up to 16th November
Note that the 2013 and 2014 data is provisional and subject to change.
The number of deaths on our roads is a major concern, with pedestrians being amongst the most vulnerable of road users. Some 20% of road fatalities so far this year have been pedestrians. The current Road Safety Strategy, which runs from 2013 to 2020, contains a number of measures to ensure greater safety in pedestrian activities. As in all areas of road safety, this involves a range of measures, but, ultimately, it is also important that pedestrians, like all road-users, take responsibility for their own safety. This includes the use of high visibility clothing, particularly during the winter months. My Department and I will work with the RSA and the other appropriate bodies to ensure that the recommendations in the Strategy are implemented.