Drivers, including HGV drivers are being urged to stay safe on the roads, ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend.
An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority are urging drivers to support their efforts to keep all road users safe this Easter weekend –
Many will be planning to gather with family and loved ones over this Easter weekend and Gardaí expect that there will be therefore be more road users on the move.
To help ensure that everyone using Irish roads this weekend remain safe, a Garda Roads Policing Operation will be in place. It got underway at 7am this morning and will run until 7am on Tuesday, 22nd April 2025.
Every member of An Garda Síochána on-duty this long weekend will be out conducting road traffic enforcement activity but they need the public’s help.
Anyone who is intending to socialise 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.
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.
So Far This Year:
The number of drivers and pedestrians that have been killed on Irish roads from January to March was above average when compared to the same period over the past five years.
In the first quarter of this year, 1-in-3 of those killed or seriously injured on Irish Roads have been aged under 30.
Half of those fatally injured in road traffic collisions this year have been the driver, while two-thirds of all fatal collisions involved a single vehicle.
During quarter one of each of the past six years, for passengers and pedestrians, the largest age group for fatal and seriously injured road users were those aged 20 or younger.
An Garda Síochána has noted an increase in the number of road traffic collisions occurring on Friday, Saturday and Sunday’s – with about double the five-year average number of collisions happening on Friday’s this year.
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.
“There is a sense among some that Gardaí 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 absolutely not the case – we are working to help make sure everyone is safe on their journey.
“No Garda has ever or will ever take satisfaction in responding to a horrific road traffic collision that has caused serious injuries or death. Being tasked to call to a home to deliver the worst possible news to a devastated family that their loved one has been killed is something that no Garda ever wishes to do. Our work is aimed at avoiding all of those awful circumstances.
“This long Easter weekend there will be more road users out on the roads the 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 said, “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.
“There have been 48 lives been lost on our roads to date in 2025, and we do not want to add to that tragic figure.”
