County Roscommon records 32 collisions in six months

There were 32 traffic collisions on Roscommon roads in the first six months of the year with two fatalities and two people seriously injured, latest figures have revealed.

Following a request from Roscommon councillors the Road Safety Authority provided the members with the statistics dating from January to June, which also showed that 46 vehicles had been involved in the accidents with 34 people receiving minor injuries.

However, there was no information provided in relation to the locations of the accidents due to data protection.

At a meeting of Roscommon Municipal District last week members heard that those details are provided to the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) but not to local authorities.

Cathaoirleach Paschal Fitzmaurice in response said: “We are looking to see which roads could be improved. We are not looking for personal data such as age, drivers, vehicles etc. You have one pillar of government, the TII, getting this information and the local authority can’t. I am mystified and disappointed by this. We have 32 collisions, but we haven’t the locations. We need to ask the minister to explain why TII can get this data and the local authority can’t.” 

Cllr Larry Brennan said he totally supported Mr Fitzmaurice’s comments. “It is ridiculous that we are cast with the role of improving road safety but are left with one arm tied behind our backs.” 

Cllr Marty McDermott added: “We are inundated about dangerous roads and junctions. To have someone send back such a report is an insult to councillors and public representatives.” 

He said he had requested a meeting with the TII on numerous occasions but “they have no notion of meeting with us. I am so annoyed with that response.” Cllr Michael Holland also said they need to get to the root of this. “It is crazy.” 

Mr Fitzmaurice also proposed that they get a representative to talk directly to the Minister as “this makes no sense whatsoever.”