Road safety advice issued ahead of bank holiday weekend

RSA report finds that 105 motorcyclists died on Irish roads over last 5 years.

A new Road Safety Authority (RSA) report has found that between 2019 and 2023, 105 motorcyclists were killed while 921 seriously injured on Irish roads. Peak time for motorcyclist serious injuries is between May and September and Sunday was the most dangerous day for motorcyclists.

Eight in ten motorcycle casualties were injured in daylight hours and all fatalities in this five-year period were male. To date this year, there have been 10 motorcyclist deaths, the same amount killed over this period last year.

Ahead of the June Bank Holiday weekend, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Jack Chambers, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána are reminding all road users to share the roads safely as the high-risk summer period commences for motorcyclists.

Meanwhile, the RSA’s Motorcyclist Spotlight report also revealed that multiple vehicle collisions accounted for over two thirds (67%) of casualties with failure to observe reported as the most frequently noted action for both the motorcyclist and the other driver involved.

The RSA will be running a motorcycle safety awareness campaign for the month of June across video on demand; TikTok; Facebook; and Instagram. The campaign provides messaging in respect of the four common fatal collision scenarios for motorcyclists as well as information for other motorists

“As people make plans to travel over the June Bank Holiday weekend, it will inevitably result in more traffic on our roads and increase the likelihood of collisions,” the Minister continued. “With this in mind, all road users need to be aware of our more vulnerable road users this summer – including motorcyclists, who are at high risk, as the report has revealed. All drivers should expect to meet motorcyclists on their journeys in the months ahead; give them space and share the road safely this summer.”

Sam Waide, Chief Executive of the RSA added: “In our latest review of fatalities and serious injuries for 2019-2023, we found that motorcyclists accounted for 14% of fatalities and 13% of serious injuries during that period. Staying alert and aware of those you share the road with is vitally important, especially as our research found that failure to observe was the most frequently noted action for the motorcyclist and other driver involved in multi-vehicle collisions.”

Assistant Garda Commissioner, Paula Hilman highlighted how motorcyclists are especially vulnerable road users. “So far this year there have been 10 motorcyclists killed on Irish roads,” she continued. “We would appeal to all road users to look out for motorcycles on the roads and we would encourage motorcyclists to ensure that their bikes are properly maintained, regularly serviced and that they travel within the appropriate speed limits.

"We would also like to remind motorcyclists of the Garda Bike Safe programme available to them, details can be accessed on gardabikesafe.ie. We wish everyone an enjoyable and safe bank holiday weekend.”