Dramatic jump in road deaths this year

The number of people killed on Meath roads has increased dramatically this year, with 11 people losing their lives in accidents so far in 2012. This compares to four fatalities for the whole of 2011, which was the best year on record in the county, while six people died on Meath roads in 2010. Of the 11 fatalities this year, three were car drivers, three were passengers in a vehicle, two were motorcyclists, one was a pedal cyclist, one was driving a tractor and one was a pedestrian. The latest fatality occurred at approximately 6am on Sunday morning, 14th October, when a male motorcyclist lost control of his Harley Davidson 'bike and collided with a barrier at Junction 7 south-bound on the M3. The collision occurred at the Blundelstown interchange near Garlow Cross. The 41-year-old victim was pronounced dead at the scene. He has been named as Michael Daly, from Twomilehouse, Naas, Co Kildare. The slip road at Junction 7 south-bound on the M3 was closed for a time on Sunday pending the completion of an examination by garda forensic collision investigators and diversions were put in place. The M3 motorway remained open. Navan Gardai, who are investigating the collision, have appealed for witnesses to contact Navan Garda Station on (046) 903 6100 or the Garda Confidential Telephone Line (1800 666 111). The collision has brought to 11 the number of fatalities on Meath roads this year. Superintendent Michael Devine of Navan Garda Station has described the increase as a "worrying trend" and has appealed to people to slow down and take care.