54 people killed on Meath roads in six year period

Fifty four people lost their lives on Meath roads between 2013 and 2019 a meeting of Meath County Council's transportation committee heard last week.

In a bid to reduce the number of deaths and injuries on the road, a public consultation is to take place into road safety in the county.

Cllr Noel French highlighted the need to restrict speeding on unsuitable urban roads.

“All the villages and town in my area of Trim, Ballivor, Enfield, Longwood, Kildalkey, Dunderry, Summerhill and Rathmolyon have difficulties with speeding. The RSA would like to see 100 per cent compliance with speed limits.”

Some 24 of those killed in the six year period were drivers of cars. Passengers accounted for 10 deaths and eight pedestrians were killed.

“There was one cyclist and 11 motor cyclists. The figure for motorcyclists as a percentage was about twice the national average but no reason could be found. One fifth of driver casualties nationally were not wearing seat belts.”

Meanwhile the meeting heard that the winter gritting programme will remain the same as in previous years.

“I am disappointed that there won't be additional gritting this year. Last year 650 km of the county’s roads were gritted which amounts to about one fifth of all the roads in the county. Not all the regional roads are gritted - there is a coverage of 82 per cent. Last year the roads were gritted on 46 nights and the crews were on standby on another 62 nights.”