Speeding 'causes deaths' on the roads

Date: 1/6/2010

Speeding has played a significant part in the number of deaths on Ireland's roads in 2009, according to one organisation.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) revealed going above the speed limit was "directly responsible" for 80 fatalities, along with being a major factor in a further 160 deaths, the Irish Times reported.

According to the RSA, if motorists reduced their speed by five per cent it could prevent around 1,000 serious injuries and save the lives of nearly 50 people.

Chief Executive Noel Brett remarked: "We all know that driving too fast increases your risk of being involved in a serious or fatal collision, yet every year, approximately one-third of road deaths are caused by speeding."

A 24-year-old man died in County Cork on Sunday (May 30th) due to a road traffic collision, which brings the total number killed this year to 89.

Last week, Yorkshire Police said 365 drivers were caught speeding in the region in April during a Europe-wide speed control operation organised by the European Traffic Police Network.

Posted by Sarah Bailey