RSA and Gardai Ask Drivers to Slow Down this Bank Holiday Weekend as Data Shows a Rise in Commuter Fatalities

New RSA data shows a sharp increase in fatalities during peak morning commuting time

One third of serious pedestrian injuries occurring between 4.00pm and 8.00pm

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána are asking drivers to slow down and take care, particularly during peak commuting hours as the clocks move back this bank holiday weekend.

The appeal comes as new data from the RSA shows that there has been a sharp increase in the number of fatalities during the peak morning commuting time of 6.00am to 9.00am this year. By mid-October, there had been 19 deaths in 2024 between 6.00am and 9.00am, compared with 11 in the same period in 2023 and five in 2022.

 With the clock going back one hour on Sunday 27 October, the RSA is advising drivers to slow down and look out for vulnerable road users, and for all roads users to be safe and be seen, particularly when travelling during the darker mornings and evenings.

A total of eight people were killed on the roads over the October Bank Holiday weekends between 2019 and 2023, and a further 71 were seriously injured.

Sam Waide, Chief Executive of the RSA, said it is important that drivers slow down. He said: “Excessive and inappropriate speed is a dangerous behaviour on our roads. International research shows that 10-15% of all collisions, and 30% of fatal collisions are the direct result of speeding or inappropriate speed.”

The RSA and An Garda Siochana want drivers to be aware of pedestrians in particular during the darker winter evenings. RSA analysis of pedestrian serious injuries shows that one third (32%) occurred between 4.00pm and 8.00pm, higher than any other time of the day.

The figures are contained in the recently published Pedestrian Spotlight Report: Fatalities and Serious Injuries 2019-2023. It shows that between 2019 and 2023, a total of 164 pedestrians were tragically killed, and 1,426 sustained serious injuries on Irish roads.

According to the report, almost half (48%) of pedestrian serious injuries were aged 35 years or less, while slightly over half (55%) were male.

A third of pedestrian fatalities (32%) and a third of pedestrian serious injuries (34%) occurred between October and December.

Drivers are urged to drive with dipped headlights during the day, especially if they do not have daytime running lights. Pedestrians are urged to be clearly visible when walking and wear high visibility or bright clothing when walking at night or early in the morning. Cyclists are urged to wear high visibility clothing and ensure they have a white light to the front and a red light to the back, so they are visible to pedestrians and drivers.

Chief Superintendent in the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau, Jane Humphries said: “Bank holiday weekends are among the busiest periods on Irish roads. They are also one of the periods during which road users are at the highest risk of being involved in a fatal or serious road traffic collision. There will be Gardai out conducting checkpoints all weekend. All those that will be taking to the roads this long weekend must remember that they have a personal responsibility to keep themselves and other road users safe.”

As of midnight 24 October 2024, there have been 143 people killed on Irish roads, 11 fewer than the same period last year.

Drivers are also reminded that the RSA and participating Applegreen service stations are providing free cups of coffee to motorists to combat driver fatigue. The offer is available from 2pm to 8pm on Friday 25 and from 2pm to 8pm on Monday 28 October.

 Notes:

The RSA is teaming up with Media Central for a radio takeover of its radio stations this bank holiday weekend.

There will be promos and stings voiced by radio presenters across the stations providing messages on the risks of driving while using the phone or under influence of drink and drugs.

On Newstalk the takeover will focus on distracted driving, specifically mobile phones and driving. On Today FM, 98 FM, Beat, Classic Hits, I-Radio, Spin 1038/Southwest, Red FM, Audio X and Go Live network the messages will focus on drink and drug driving.

The partnership aims to target all motorists while driving, whether listening to the radio or podcasts - at the point of danger.

 The time period for the bank holiday is Friday-Monday inclusive.

Figures for 2020 onwards are provisional and subject to change.