Laois road deaths increased in 2022

Road deaths increased in Laois last year with three people losing their lives on roads in the county. 

The figures released by the Road Safety Authority(RSA) show that this was an increase on 2021 when two people died on the roads in Laois. 

In neighbouring Offaly, which recorded no road fatalities in 2021, four people died on the roads as a result of collisions. 

“In 2022 we lost three people in Laois and four people in Offaly. Families, friends and communities tragically affected,” Laois Offaly Gardai stated as they posted the figures online. 

Nationally, there was a 13% rise in road deaths recorded In 2022 up from 137 to 155. A further 1,292 were seriously injured in collisions during the year. 

Shockingly, the number of pedestrians killed doubled from 20 to 41. Of fatalities, 27% occurred on an urban roads and 73% occurred on a rural roads. 

According to the RSA figures, Carlow was the only county in Ireland not to record a single fatal collision in either 2022 or 2021. 

RSA Chairperson Liz O’Donnell said: “The end of year road fatality figures for 2022 should serve as a reminder to us all of our shared responsibility to always be safety aware on our roads, and to pay special attention to motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians. We simply must get back on track and reverse the increase in deaths.

It means that all of us must accept greater responsibility when using the road and become custodians and champions for safety on the road. It also means progressing the 50 high impact and 136 supporting actions in the Road Safety Strategy. By doing this we can save lives and prevent injuries and put us on track to cut road deaths and serious injuries by 50% by 2030,” she said.