Mayo records highest road fatalities in two decades

Mayo’s roads have tragically claimed the highest number of lives in over 20 years, with 18 fatalities recorded in 2024.

The concerning figure surpasses last year’s total of 11, reflect a nationwide trend of road safety challenges despite a slight overall decline in fatalities compared to 2023.

Provisional Garda statistics reveal that 178 people have died on Irish roads this year, ranging from a six-year-old child to a 90-year-old man.

While this marks a reduction from the 184 fatalities recorded in 2023, it remains significantly higher than the annual totals from 2017 to 2022, which ranged between 154 and 155 deaths.

The increase in Mayo is particularly alarming, as it represents the county’s highest toll since 2001. Among the most devastating incidents was the collision on the N17 in March, which claimed the lives of Una Bowden (47) and her daughters Ciara (14) and Saoirse (9).

This stretch of road has seen multiple fatal accidents this year, prompting renewed calls for safety interventions.

The outgoing coroner for Mayo, Pat O’Connor has voiced concerns over the condition of certain roads, including the N17, where a disproportionate number of collisions have occurred.

In addition to the tragedy involving the Bowden family, several other fatal incidents on this road have highlighted the need for urgent action.

Mayo is not alone in facing this crisis. Donegal has also experienced a sharp increase in road deaths, with 18 fatalities recorded this year—the highest since 2010, when 19 lives were lost.

Both counties are now grappling with the implications of these statistics and exploring measures to improve road safety.