Monaghan’s roads are the most dangerous in Ireland

30/06/2014

Monaghan is the most dangerous county in Ireland for driving, with a fatality rate three times higher than the national average.

Using data from An Garda Siochana, Road Safety Authority researchers have compiled the 'Road Traffic Deaths by Road User and County 2007 – 2013' report, which reveals the most dangerous counties in which to drive.

Based on population, Monaghan has by far the highest fatality rate. Its figure of 132 deaths per million people is more than three times the national average. Kerry, Donegal, Sligo and Kildare are also well above average.

A total of 190 people died on Irish roads last year, an increase of 28 from 2012 – the first recorded increase since 2005. This rising death rate was driven by rises in deaths across five counties, including a 15-fold increase in Kildare.

The number of people killed in Kildare rose from one to 15, followed by large increases in Monaghan (two to eight), Tipperary (four to 12), Kerry (seven to 13) and Dublin (12 to 19).

A total of 1,605 people died on the roads in the period studied.

RSA chief executive Moyagh Murdock told The Irish Independent that drivers and all road users had to increase their efforts to reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries: “We must all collectively accept greater responsibility for our own safety by becoming custodians and champions for safety on the road. If we all redouble our efforts in 2014, there is no reason why we can't make Ireland's roads the safest in the world.”