ROAD deaths were down by three in Monaghan/Cavan in 2008
as 13 people lost their lives compared to 16 in 2007, the Post can reveal.
Superintendent Gabriel McIntyre, of the Garda National Traffic Bureau described
the reduction of three as “significant” and said that it corresponded to the
national trend of less carnage on the roads.
“Thirteen is 13 too many but at least it’s a significant enough reduction,”
said Superintendent McIntyre. “And overall the figures for the whole country,
show there is a net reduction of 63 fatalities for 2008 compared to 2007 - and
that is a very significant factor,” he stressed.
The superintendent said that the Monaghan/Cavan area has faired well compared
to other regions
.
“It would stand reasonably well, compared to other similar counties such as
Clare and Mayo, but there is no room for complacency,” he stressed.
He also warned motorists to continue be cautious due to the icy weather and the
impossibility of gritting all of the roads.
“This particular year there seems to be lower temperatures, with a lot more
frost in the early mornings, and I would encourage motorists to maybe delay
their journey for a certain time in the morning if the frost is bad. It’s
better being late than maybe not arriving at all,” he said.
Provisional Garda statistics showed that so far this year nationally 275 people
have been killed in fatal collisions compared to 338 for 2007 and according to
Superintendent McIntyre the decreasing road deaths are as a result of steps
taken by the Roads Safety Authority, Gardaí and the public.
“People are more compliant [with road safety advice], there is better use of
public transport, taxis and designated drivers, and a combination of a number
of different factors, I feel, has brought about this significant reduction of
fatalities,” he said.
