Westmeath’s worst ‘blackspot’ is between Mullingar and Delvin
A stretch of the N52 halfway between Mullingar and Delvin has been identified as Westmeath’s worst accident blackspot.
Analysis has shown that the stretch, which is 4.8kms southwest of Delvin, scores 77 on a risk table – which means that per 100 million vehicle kilometres travelled on that 1km stretch, 77 injury collisions would be likely to occur.
The data was compiled by Gamma Location Intelligence, the location intelligence services provider, which on Monday released new analysis on the most treacherous road segments in Ireland.
The company, which provides location-based insights to insurance companies and local authorities, has mapped out Transport Infrastructure Ireland data that shows that the roads with the highest collision rates – determined by the number of road accidents (injury collisions) per 100 million vehicle kilometres – are clustered in Galway, Wexford and Longford. Collisions are limited to those that resulted in an injury on major roads from regional to motorway.
The analysis is based on the most recent data available from Transport Infrastructure Ireland and covers the 2015 to 2017 period.
The most dangerous stretch of road is in Galway, located just east of Kylemore Lough, from Clifden to Leenane along the N59 (rate: 1131). The second is between Abbey Square Roundabout and Seamus Rafter Bridge in Enniscorthy (rate: 588), while the third is at the Killashee Street, Ballymahon Street and New Street junction in Longford town (rate: 281).
Galway was also the county that appeared most frequently in the top 20 list with eight of the most dangerous road segments located there. Clare appeared four times in the top 20.
Gamma’s Perilfinder platform has an in-built Road Accident Model which collates data from the Road Safety Authority, Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the Central Statistics Office to analyse and present accident data to show where most collisions happen.
The software also offers risk assessment insights for other perils such as flooding, fire and subsidence.
Speaking about the data, Director of Location Intelligence for Gamma, Richard Garry said: “Overall, according to the data provided by Transport Infrastructure Ireland, collision rates are decreasing across the country. However, there are specific stretches of roads where the frequency of collisions is still high.
“Not only does this analysis show drivers where they need to take extra care, it is also useful for insurance companies as it identifies the areas which are worst for road accidents and enables them to better assess risk.”