Dublin is grappling with a surge in road accidents and fatalities, making Ireland the EU’s front-runner in this concerning trend. While the EU experienced a 1% dip in road deaths last year, Ireland saw a stark 20% rise, claiming 184 lives. Men were disproportionately affected, with a 33% spike since pre-2019 pandemic levels. Authorities attribute the surge to speeding and mobile phone usage, compounded by a concerning 10% of drivers admitting to drink-driving. Despite having the lowest road death rate per million inhabitants in the EU, Ireland slipped from fourth to seventh place last year. This setback occurs as the EU strives to halve road deaths by 2030. The worrisome trend emphasizes the need for urgent measures to curb fatalities on Irish roads.
