"The number of fatalities has dropped but we cannot be complacent" - Road Safety Officer

The Road Safety Officer for Donegal County Council has appealed to road users to exercise caution, be patient and to take responsibility for their own actions in the lead-up to Christmas.

Roads become increasingly busy at this time of year as people prepare for the festive season. A report in the Irish Independent, this morning, shows that Donegal ranks joint-fifth on the list of counties with the most road fatalities this year, to date. The figures come after a day of commemoration for the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims on Sunday. 

The counties with the highest number of road deaths in 2022 are Dublin,15, Limerick,13, Cork,11, and Wexford, 9, followed by Donegal, Clare, Louth and Meath which all recorded seven deaths.

The Road Safety Officer for Donegal County Council, Brian O’Donnell, said over the last seven or eight years the number of people who lost their lives on the county’s roads has significantly dropped. 

“One person losing their life on the road is one too many that is for certain. However, we can see that the figures have improved - we are going in the right direction and our figures have come down substantially,” he said.  

Progress on McGrory's Brae work outside Ballybofey

Signs needed to alert cyclists to temporary alternative rouote

He praised people who drive responsibly on the county’s roads. He also commended the Pro-Social Drivers Programme which was established by the then District Judge Paul Kelly. 

“It has helped in Donegal. Those who are sent to do the programme talk about what happened and realise what could happen as a result of their driving. It is just having the opportunity to talk about it and have that realisation. It has proved very successful here,” he said.  

He said people also need to understand that speed limits are not targets; they exist to keep people safe: “ Drive at a speed that is suitable for everyone. Everyone knows someone affected by a road traffic collision - it is devastating,” he said. 

Traffic has increased substantially after the pandemic and roads have been busier than ever.

“The number of fatalities has dropped but we need more and we cannot be complacent. Everybody who uses the road has to take responsibility for their actions - anyone who sits behind the wheel needs to take responsibility for their actions. There is no such thing as a bad road - it is just bad drivers. You need to take precautions, slow your speed accordingly and take road and weather conditions into account,” he said.