THE NUMBER of deaths on roads in County Wexford fell by almost 50 per cent in 2016, in contrast with an increase in the national figure.

Some four people lost their lives on County Wexford roads last year, with two of those killed in collisions which occurred close to Kyle Cross in Crossabeg.

Nationally, a 15 per cent increase in the numbers of deaths recorded on Ireland’s roads saw the Chairperson of the Road Safety Authority, Liz O’Donnell, brand 2016 as a “very bad year for road safety in Ireland.

“This is unacceptable and we must all redouble our efforts to prevent more needless loss of life.”

There remains, she said, an need for individuals to “take greater personal responsibility for their actions when using the road.”

Transport Minister Shane Ross said he was “acutely aware that these are more than just numbers.

“They represent someone’s son, daughter, brother, sister, father or mother.

“If anything is to come from such a tragic loss of life it is that it should serve as a reminder to us all that the road is a shared space and that we have a duty of care towards each other every time we use the road.”

July 2016 was the most dangerous month for Irish road users in 2016, with 21 fatalities recorded across the country.

The majority of drivers killed were male, while the highest number of driver fatalities (10) was recorded in County Cork.

A new Road Traffic Act, recently signed into law by President Higgins, will introduce a series of reforms to deal with drug driving; written-off vehicles; mutual recognition of driver disqualifications between Ireland and the UK; uninsured drivers and a new optional 20 km/ph speed limit in built-up areas among other measures.