Road safety message ahead of Bank Holiday Weekend

Drivers under the age of 25 are twice as likely to be involved in a fatal or serious injury collision during the hours of darkness.

An Garda Síochána and The Road Safety Authority (RSA) are appealing to the public to use the roads with care over the St Brigid’s Bank Holiday weekend.

Data strongly indicates that the risk of a fatal or serious injury road traffic collision is its highest between midday and 3pm on each of the four days of the St Brigid’s Day Bank Holiday Weekend.

It further shows that a driver is most likely to be involved in a fatal or serious injury road traffic collision during these hours on Friday, 31st January 2025.

Data collated by the Garda Analysis Service shows that drivers under the age of 25 are twice as likely to be involved in a fatal or serious injury collision during the hours of darkness.

Those that drive and are aged 17-20 are in fact more likely to be involved in a fatal collision than a collision that leaves them with serious injuries, when behind the wheel during the hours of darkness.

In the first four weeks of 2025, 12 people have been killed in road traffic collisions on Irish roads - three less lives taken than during January 2024.

Two people under the age of 25 have been killed on Irish roads.

An Garda Síochána Roads Policing Operation:

An extensive Garda Roads Policing Operation which will take place throughout this St Brigid’s Bank Holiday Weekend got underway at 7am this morning, Thursday 30th January 2025, and will run until 7am on Tuesday, 4th February 2025.

Every member of An Garda Síochána on-duty this long weekend will be out conducting road traffic enforcement activity.

They will be focussed on targeting the four offences that are proven to cause fatal and serious collisions:

Intoxicated driving

Speeding

Using your mobile phone

Not wearing a seatbelt

An Garda Síochána and the RSA are reminding all road users to never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Ahead of the national holiday, drivers and all other road users are being reminded to plan ahead and organise a safe way home if socialising over the coming days.

This means leaving the car and the keys at home, arranging a lift, agreeing a designated driver, booking a taxi, or taking public transport. Walking home or cycling under the influence of alcohol or drugs can also put you and other road users at risk.

Storm Éowyn Recovery:

An Garda Síochána and the RSA are very aware that for many communities, still suffering from the devastating impact of Storm Éwoyn, that this is not a normal St Brigid’s Bank Holiday.

We continue to appeal to all road users to exercise extreme caution on the road network, particularly in the affected counties. Not all fallen trees may yet have been removed from the network and in many cases broken branches and other debris may still be impacting and/ or protruding onto road carriageways.

Trees/poles which were weakened during Storm Éowyn and Storm Herminia may yet fall and further impact on roads in the worst affected areas.

An Garda Síochána re-iterates their appeal to all motorists: Slow Down, Expect the Unexpected and Stay Safe on our roads.

In support of ESB Networks gardaí continue to warn the public do not touch or approach fallen and/or low hanging wires on the electricity network. They may be live and dangerous. Please contact ESB Networks on 1800 372 999.

If you are aware of family, friends or neighbours who you have not heard from or who may be isolated or continue to be in a vulnerable situation please make contact with an An Garda Síochána or another appropriate service. Do not assume that somebody else has!

Young Drivers:

In particular, An Garda Síochána is emphasising the need for those aged 17-25 to take all precautions when driving.

Data collated by the Garda Analysis Service shows that drivers under the age of 25 are twice as likely to be involved in a fatal or serious injury collision during the hours of darkness.

Those that drive and are aged 17-20 are in fact more likely to be involved in a fatal collision than a collision that leaves them with serious injuries, when behind the wheel during the hours of darkness.

Of the 175 people that lost their lives in road traffic collisions last year, 60 were aged between 16 and 25.

In 2023, 25 of the 184 people that were killed on Irish roads were aged 16-25.

This was an increase from 16 (155) in 2022.

"We need young drivers to support our efforts to keep them and all other road users safe," say An Gards Siochana. "Our message is to not let your decisions when driving define your future or its prospects."

Speaking ahead of the Bank Holiday Weekend and the introduction of new lower speed limits next week, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Seán Canney T.D said: "A reduction in the default speed limit from 80 to 60km/h on local rural roads - which can be narrow and winding, with limited visibility, and where sadly many collisions happen - is a step in the right direction towards tackling the unfortunate increase in fatalities and serious injuries we have seen in recent years.

"Reducing speed on these roads increases the time we have to react to an unexpected situation, such that any collisions that might occur will be less impactful. This is just one of the range of measures and actions the Government is taking to make roads nationwide safer, including stepping up ongoing education, awareness campaigns, enforcement and significant Government investment in infrastructure improvements to enhance road safety.

"As a nation we have made great strides in making our roads safer for all in recent decades, and we must keep this up. I have no doubt that if we work together, we can see the numbers of lives lost on our roads come down once again.”

An Garda Síochána Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman, responsible for Roads Policing and Community Engagement stated that this winter is proving "extremely difficult" for people in different ways, and the weather conditions have made driving that bit more dangerous and hazardous.

"The combination of high winds, icy temperatures and rain that have hit Ireland in recent weeks mean that the roads are treacherous at times. The North West and Midlands have been badly affected by Storm Éowyn and many roads remain blocked by fallen trees and debris.

"Those people who have a journey to make by car this weekend, especially in areas still impacted by the storm, please make sure your focus is on the road and drive with extra caution. There may still be debris, trees or fallen and low-hanging electrical wires to be careful of when out on the roads whether you are driving, cycling or walking.

"If anyone finds themselves in need of help or support this Bank Holiday Weekend, be it while using the roads or in difficulty without water and electricity, please get in touch with us. We will be continuing to check on older or vulnerable people and will be out on patrol so please stop us or contact us if there is anything we can do to help keep you safe.”

Sam Waide, Chief Executive of the Road Safety Authority meanwhile asked that all road users stay safe this bank holiday weekend. "Many roads are still showing the after-effects of Storm Éowyn and we ask people to slow down, particularly on rural roads, with wet and windy conditions continuing.

"Unfortunately, killer behaviours persist on our roads, so it is more important than ever that drivers do not speed, use their mobile phones or consume alcohol or drugs. Everyone travelling in a vehicle also needs to remember to use a seatbelt.

"In January and February, we are tackling the issues of people not wearing a seatbelt and mobile phone usage through campaigns aimed at reducing these dangerous behaviours, across all user groups and age groups, including young people.”