There has been a drop of 68% in deaths on Irish roads since the country’s first road safety strategy was introduced in 1998, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) said today.
Some 458 deaths occurred on the roads in 1998, compared with 146 last year, the RSA revealed at its Annual International Road Safety Conference.
Transport Minister Shane Ross and the RSA announced that the next strategy will run from 2021 to 2030.
It is expected to address current and new road safety challenges, including the impact of new technology, vulnerable road users, serious injuries and killer behaviours.
Moyagh Murdock, Chief Executive of the RSA, said: “It is important that we recognise the efforts of the public; by changing their behaviour many lives have been saved and injuries prevented. The support and work of NGO advocacy groups, who have worked tirelessly to change road safety laws, has also been vital to success.
“Enforcement will continue to be a critical success factor and there is still some way to go to achieving adequate levels of policing of our road safety laws.
“As part of our efforts to save lives on Irish roads, we need to continue to work together with all stakeholders and use best international practice.
"That is why this conference, which brings together the leading road safety experts from across the world, is so important.”
