One in three people killed or seriously injured on Irish roads were under the age of 30, according to recent data shared by authorities ahead of the Easter weekend.
An Garda Sรญochรกna and the Road Safety Authority are urging drivers to prioritize road safety during the holiday period. Police are launching an enhanced roads policing operation from 7 a.m. Friday until 7 a.m. Tuesday.
Every available Garda member on duty throughout the long weekend will conduct road traffic enforcement activities, though officials emphasize that they “need the public’s help” to prevent tragedies.
“Anyone who is intending to socialize and have drinks at any point over the long weekend needs to leave their car at home, arrange a designated driver among friends, pre-book a taxi, use public transport where possible or fix up a lift home from someone they trust who will not be under the influence,” An Garda Sรญochรกna stated.
“At no point is it safe or acceptable to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after having an intoxicant like alcohol or drugs. Walking home or cycling under the influence of alcohol or drugs can also put you and other road users at risk.”
Statistics show driver and pedestrian fatalities on Irish roads from January to March exceeded the five-year average for the same period. Half of those fatally injured in road traffic collisions this year have been drivers, while two-thirds of all fatal crashes involved just a single vehicle.
Analysis of the past six years reveals that for passengers and pedestrians, those aged 20 or younger represent the largest age group among fatal and seriously injured road users during the first quarter.
Police have observed an increase in collisions occurring on weekends, with Friday crashes running at approximately double the five-year average in 2024.
Chief Superintendent Jane Humphries of the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau said, “What our most recent analysis demonstrates is that there is still some way to go in younger drivers paying heed to our pleas to follow the road traffic laws.”
She addressed misconceptions about enforcement efforts: “There is a sense among some that gardaรญ are out conducting roads policing duties to catch people, make their lives difficult by adding penalty points to their licences and cost them money in fines. I can tell you that is not the caseโwe are working to help make sure everyone is safe on their journey.”
With increased holiday traffic expected, Humphries added, “This long Easter weekend, there will be more road users out on the roads than usual, whether out walking, cycling, or driving to go see loved ones. We urge you to please slow down, do not drive while under the influence, and please keep your focus on the road.”
Sarah O’Connor, director of partnerships and external affairs at the Road Safety Authority, reinforced this message: “We are urging motorists to slow down and look out for all road users over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. There will be more traffic than usual on the roads, including an increased number of cyclists and pedestrians out enjoying the longer evenings.”
As of Friday morning, 48 people have died on Irish roads this year. “We do not want to add to that tragic figure,” O’Connor stated.
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