Decrease in Clare road deaths for 2023 confirmed

Road deaths in county Clare were lower in 2023, compared to numbers from 2022.

Just six people lost their lives on Clare roads last year, one less than the year before, according to road traffic collision figures published by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) on January 1, 2024.

The figures show that the overall number of road deaths nationally in 2023 increased by 19% when compared to the previous year. 

A total of 184 people died in 173 fatal collisions in 2023 compared to 155 deaths in 149 collisions in 2022. This represents an increase of 29 deaths or a 19% rise in road deaths compared to last year.

Of the 184 road deaths in 2023, 69 were drivers, 44 were pedestrians, 34 were passengers, 26 were motorcyclists, eight were cyclists and three were e-scooter users.

"2023 has been a heart-breaking and devastating year on Irish roads for so many families and communities all over Ireland," Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jack Chambers, said.

"Our thoughts are with all those impacted as we head into a new year. We were able to progress a number of important reforms in 2023 which are specifically targeted at the lifesaver offences which we know are the main contributors to fatal road collisions.2

I would also like to pay tribute and special thanks to our emergency services and first responders who do incredible lifesaving work in the most challenging circumstances."

Liz O’Donnell, Chairperson, RSA said: "It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the tragic loss of life on Ireland’s roads in 2023."

"We have had a difficult year in road safety. People are carrying huge grief with them; a grief that doesn’t go away and a void that cannot be filled in their lives.

"Any one life lost is one too many. We must do more."