Meath RSA appeals for people to stay safe and vigilant on the roads this Christmas

With the party season now underway, Christmas revellers celebrating across Meath are being asked to think ahead to ensure everyone gets home safely.

Road Safety Officer with Meath County Council, Mick Finnegan is leading the appeal for safety awareness this festive season.

The message is that speeding and drink driving destroys lives, families, and communities.

In 2021 there were 14 road traffic fatalities in Meath. So far in 2022 eight people have lost their lives on the roads including five single car accidents all involving male drivers travelling alone.

There was one two vehicle accident where a female was killed and two pedestrians lost their lives in road traffic accidents.

To date, 148 people have lost their lives on Ireland’s roads. This is 25 more than on the same date in 2021. Some 1,125 collisions causing serious injury have also occurred.

Data compiled over the past twelve years indicates that the highest risk time for fatal or serious road traffic collisions during the Christmas period is between 12 and 9pm - with over half (55 per cent) of incidents occurring within this timeframe. More specifically, 21 per cent occurred during 3pm - 6pm.

The risk of a fatal or serious injury road traffic collision is highest on the Sunday of the Christmas period.

Mick says there are five main causes for fatalities which include speeding, intoxicated driving, handheld mobile phone use, non wearing of seatlbelts and fatigue.

"Obey the simple rules of the road, signage is out there for a very good reason, speed limits are installed following much research and they are there to keep people safe,"he said.

"If motorists adjust their speed by even five or six kilometres an hour there would be a reduction in collisions.

"In the interest of the motoring public we are pleading with people to slow down and don't be the cause of an accident and bring hardship on your own families and other families."

The Road Safety Officer for Meath Co Council is urging people to plan ahead for nights out over the festive season to avoid tragedy.

"By all means go out and enjoy yourselves, but if you are going out make arrangements about getting home," he said.

People are also reminded to take particular care on roads during this cold weather spell.

"All main routes and motorways are salted on a daily basis but the back roads are not and for the last week have been absolutely lethal."

"I'd ask people to be very careful on them. Give yourself extra time on your journey to arrive at your destination safely."

The Road Safety Officer points out that the age ranges of individuals killed in collisions are varied adding that it is not just young people involved in these tragedies.

"Last year of the 14 fatalities only one of them was under 20 years of age and three of them were under 30 years of age. People are blaming the young people all of the time but figures show a completely different outlook. Eleven of them ranged in ages from 30 to 70. Of the eight deaths this year, just one of them was under 30."