'Frightening' death toll on Mayo's roads in 2023
Some 160 people are arrested weekly on suspicion of drunk driving.
Fatalities on Mayo's roads doubled in 2023.
Mayo County Council's road safety officer Gary Smyth informed members of the council's Roads Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) of the stark news at their recent meeting. He said 12 people had lost their lives on Mayo's roads in 2023, while 177 fatalities has occurred nationally as of 9am on Thursday, December 14.
According to the Garda Roads Policing Unit, there were five deaths in Mayo for non-wearing of seatbelts, while the most recent fatality involved a man on an e-scooter in Castlebar.
For every one fatality, there are ten life-changing or serious injuries to someone, added Mr Smyth, noting that 160 people are arrested weekly on suspicion of drunk driving, of which 30% are the next morning.
Mr Smyth said the council launched several initiatives over the Christmas period targetted at drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, including distributing 600 hi-vis vests. A social media campaign has also been launched recently about drunk driving. The campaign involves a short film called ‘The Choice is Yours', which has been produced in conjunction with An Garda Síochána.
Cllr Annie Mae Reape commended the work of the campaigns but said the number of fatalities on Mayo roads in 2023 was frightening.
