This report gives detailed classifications of accidents on Irish roads reported to the Garda Siochana police in 1979. The information was processed in the Road Safety Records Bureau of An Foras Forbartha where the detailed tables were prepared. The thirty six tables give information on trends in accidents, casualties, types and location. There were 614 persons killed on Irish roads in 1979. The number of car users killed was 258 and the number of pedestrians killed was 227. The number of persons reported injured was 8,250. The number of pedal cyclists injured was the highest since 1972. Reported material damage accidents increased consistently, in comparison with 1978, the previous record year. During 1979 legislation governing the compulsory wearing of seat belts and crash helmets was introduced, the speed limit was lowered to 55 mph, subsequent to a petrol shortage, and the car driving test was relaxed for certain classes of provisional license holders. Accident figures suggest that the petrol shortage reduced both injury and material damage accidents during the summer months because of reduced travel. No easily observable effects of the other legislation were noted in the period covered. Additional tables are available from the authors.
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