The death toll on Irish roads for 2002, at 379, is the lowest since 1965, according to figures released by the Department of Transport today.
The figure compares with 413, 415 and 411 in 1999, 2000 and 2001, respectively. A total of 356 people died on the roads in 1965.
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The Minister for Transport, Mr Seamus Brennan
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A final tally for the number of people injured in 2002 is not yet available. Over 1,200 people were seriously injured in 2001.
The Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, said today that the reduction in deaths was due in part to the implementation of the penalty points system, which has seen a significant change in driving behaviour.
Other factors that have contributed to the lower death toll include the targeted enforcement of safety measures by the gardaí and hard-hitting public awareness campaigns from the National Safety Council.
However, Mr Brennan said the number of people killed on the roads "remains unacceptably high and a continuing cause of serious concern".
The Minister said he intends to continue working to reduce deaths by implementing the remainder of offences punishable by penalty points and the reform of the provisional licence system.
From today, all drivers will be required to have their licences with them at all times when driving or face an €80 fine.
Today's fatalities figures are conditional on the Garda Siochána's policy of only releasing official statistics 30 days after the last death. The last death on the roads was on December 26th. Therefore, the confirmed official results will be released at the end of this month.
Throughout the 1970s the annual figure regularly topped 500, peaking at 640 in 1972.
The 379 fatalities in 2002 comprised 158 drivers, 85 pedestrians, 73 passengers, 42 motorcyclists, 18 pedal cyclists and three motorcycle pillion passengers.
