Environment Minister Noel Dempsey has said the Government's ambitious plan to build motorways between all major Irish cities will significantly help to reduce road fatalities.
The rate of accidents on motorways and dual carriageways is 65% lower than on traditional two-lane roads and the Government's road-building initiative will see the construction of 900 kilometres of new motorways.
Speaking at the opening of a new section of the M50 in Dublin today, the minister said this plan will help Ireland to achieve a 20% reduction in road deaths by 2020.