Sergeant Tony Merrigan of the road traffic unit at Waterford Garda Station has warned motorists Gardaí will be increasing speed checks and checkpoints after the rate of road fatalities in the South East region increased by almost 30% in 2013.

There was a total of 27 fatalities as a result of road traffic incidents in the South East region in 2013, which was an increase of six on the 2012 total of 21 deaths. The breakdown of the deceased included 19 drivers, four motorcyclists, three passengers and one cyclist.

Surprisingly 56% of the fatalities in the South East took place in the first four months of the year. February was the most prevalent month for road deaths, with five in the second month of the year, four in January and three in March and April respectively. There were no fatalities in the month of August.

Thursdays and Fridays were the most prominent days for fatalities with six occurring on each day in the South East region during 2013. Mondays and Sundays were also quite prominent for road deaths with five and four occurring on these days, while there was no deaths on Wednesdays.

Sergeant Merrigan warned motorists Gardaí would be increasing their number of speed checks during 2014. “Gardaí will be operating more speed checks as a result in an effort to try to control unlicensed or rogue vehicles,” he said. “Mandatory checkpoints will also be increased to target and control drink driving.”

Referring to the figures Sergeant Merrigan said the increase in fatalities in the South East was disappointing. However, he added “as bad as it was” the figures were a big improvement on 2006 when 70 people were killed on the region’s roads.

For full story see this weeks Waterford News & Star