RSA issues road safety appeal ahead of Easter Bank Holiday

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána are issuing a road safety appeal to all road users ahead of the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

It comes as collision statistics show that 87 people have been killed or seriously injured over the period in the last five years. B

Bank Holidays bring a higher volume of traffic onto the road across the country, and with this comes an increased risk of collisions.

All road users are being encouraged to use the roads responsibly.

Drivers are urged to slow down, wear seatbelts, and not to drive while impaired through alcohol, drugs, or fatigue.

They are also being reminded to watch out for vulnerable road users including cyclists, pedestrians, horse riders and motorcyclists particularly on rural roads where most fatal collisions take place.

Pedestrians are reminded to use the footpath and if there is none to walk on the right-hand side of the road, facing oncoming traffic.

Many motorcyclists will be returning to the road after parking their motorbikes up for the winter.

They are urged to ensure their motorcycle is roadworthy before taking it back on the road.

They are also advised to take great care if getting back on the road as they may be rusty from not having ridden their motorcycle in a while.

To date in 2023 a total of 45 have been killed in fatal road crashes, this is an increase of 2 deaths compared to the same period in 2022.

So far, 49 percent of fatalities to date this year are 35 years old or younger. Fatalities in this age group represented 32 percent of all fatalities in 2022 while 55 percent of fatal collisions to date in 2023 have been single vehicle collisions.