Irish road safety minister says rising fatalities are a shared responsibility
Transport Minister Seán Canney defended his record as road deaths in Ireland climbed, blaming drivers and other road users alongside policy.
Ireland’s road safety minister, Seán Canney, faced criticism as the nation’s road death toll rose, with four fatalities recorded over a recent weekend and the year-to-date total already surpassing the previous year’s 190 deaths. Canney argued that the increase cannot be pinned on his office alone, describing it as a failure of everyone involved, especially reckless road users. He pointed to legislative efforts, including new safety measures and a ban on e-scooter use by under-18s effective 2 October.
The remarks were made ahead of an informal gathering of EU transport ministers at Dublin Castle, part of Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the European Union. He also referenced EU Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas’s warning about 20,000 annual road deaths across Europe, urging stronger action. While expressing sympathy for bereaved families, Canney said the government is monitoring technology and behaviour to curb the trend.
