This road is being upgraded now. Why is the road always blamed? People from Sligo know this road they know it is narrow, bendy and dangerous so why don’t they slow down and drive more carefully? This is the only way these road fatalities will decrease. Young men in Sligo drive modified cars at high speed on this road they put their lives and the lives of others at risk, not the road. The road does not make people crash their poor driving makes them crash.

Absolutely spot on.

@Rkmr Your comments regarding modified cars are right – people do drive too fast along this stretch. However, as someone who drives this section of road several times a week, I’ve rarely seen this stretch being patrolled by the Gardaí, probably because there are very few safe places for them to pull in and check traffic speed. This is the problem with this road – there is no hard shoulder for virtually the entire stretch between Drumfin and Castlebaldwin. Patching up one bad bend isn’t going to solve the problem. Unfortunately there is no margin for error, so if someone speeds, it’s both themselves and whoever is unlucky enough to be in their path that are faced with the consequences.

I also drive this road regularly and I agree with you. This is another reason why when the speed camera vans are such a farce. Put numerous speed cameras along this road this will help but it won’t solve the problem.
Personally I believe that male and female drivers under the age of 30 and inexperienced drivers should only be allowed drive cars with an engine size of 1 litre and without any modifications. Our Garda should be giving fines and points to drivers who have illegal modifications on their cars but they don’t bother.
I’m sorry for another young life needlessly lost but it just pisses me off. I’ll buy the champion next week this story will be reported, about a young man loved by his family and friends, played gas for local club, a real asset to the community etc but nowhere will it say that his death could have been prevented if he had only slowed down. That by driving irresponsibly he put his own life and the life of others at risk. I drive this road with my 1 yr old in the car what if he had hit me and killed my 1 yr old

There are house practically on the edge of the road so it’s a tough one to upgrade. Drumfin does have a bus eireann stop as well and this needs to be emphasised to drivers. I get picked up there and my parent has to get turned afterwards in order to head home. This is quite a heart in the mouth moment as of course the bus stop was plonked just after a bend and right beside a memorial to an accident victim.

Should be ‘houses’ of course

No, it is not being upgraded, just a few tweaks to side roads.
An upgrade – even a dual carriageway – has been promised for years but nothing was done. Meanwhile, Leo Veruka can find millions for Greater Dublin!

You’re right Fergal. I think that’s 28 lives on that stretch of road now. They can’t all have been driving too fast.

Rkmr, have you ever heard of inquests?

That is when evidence of road deaths is given in public.

Your right Barry we should be in remembrance for the tragic loss of a young life regardless of the cause. May he rest in peace

Oh come on the council are to blame? Why must people in this country pass the blame for everything? Can no one take responsibility or their own actions?

Actually, it is the National Roads Authority who are to blame as this is a national road although the County council are no addition.

Still waiting for rebuilding of N17, part of the so -called Atlantic Corridor, awful road between Bellaghy and Ballymote with continuous white lines all the way.