In this time Ireland’s capital city achieved the best reduction in the number of people killed over the past decade among its 27 European counterparts.

Separately the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has published its own report today, ‘Safety in Irish Cities, 1997 – 2006’ which shows that despite an increase in population and motor vehicles, there has been a steady decline in the number of road deaths and serious injuries in the five major Irish cities over the 10 year period, 1997 to 2006.

According to the RSA’s report reductions of between 40% and 80% were recorded in Dublin, Cork, Limerick Waterford and Galway.

A further analysis of the figures in the RSA report highlights the reduction in deaths and serious injuries in specific cities since 1997:

- 73% reduction in the number of killed and seriously injured in Dublin city with a 77% reduction in pedestrian fatalities;

- 70% reduction in the number of killed and seriously injured in Cork city;

- 78% reduction in the number of killed and seriously injured in Waterford city;

- 41% reduction in the number of killed and seriously injured in Limerick city;

- 67% reduction in the number of killed and seriously injured in Galway city.

The RSA report also reveals that;

• Just under half of the road deaths in the main cities were pedestrians, of which 36% were aged 65 or over.

• Just over a fifth of road deaths were car-users and 16% were motorcyclists.

• 21% of all road deaths in the five main cities were aged 65 or over, with 40% of all road deaths aged between 18 and 34.

Commenting on the findings of the EU study, Gay Byrne, Chairman, Road Safety Authority, said: “I am delighted that Dublin has been identified as the best capital city in Europe for reducing road deaths and urge all road-users to make sure that this great momentum continues. The work of Dublin City Council, DTO, transport providers and the Dublin Metropolitan Traffic Corps in reducing road deaths in their city should be commended.”

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