Ahead of the Easter Bank Holiday Weekend, An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) are urging all road users to support their efforts to keep themselves and all others on the roads safe.
Gardaí are carrying out a dedicated roads policing operation this bank holiday weekend due to the higher than usual number of people expected on the roads.
This got underway at 7am this morning and will run until 7am on Tuesday, April 7.
Every member of An Garda Síochána on-duty this long weekend will be out conducting road traffic enforcement activity.
Gardaí will be placing a particular emphasis on detecting those driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs this weekend.
An Garda Síochána is urging road users to take extra caution around vulnerable road users, with greater numbers of pedestrians and cyclists out as the evenings become brighter and the weather improves.
2025 saw an increase of 24% in pedestrian road deaths compared to the previous year, with year-to-date figures currently in line with last year.
In 2025, the majority of the 41 pedestrian fatalities occurred on lower speed roads (60km/h or less). Over a third of pedestrians were crossing the road at the time of the fatal collision.
1-in-4 of the pedestrians killed were older people, while young people under the age of 25 accounted for 30% of seriously injured pedestrians in 2025.
Close to half of pedestrians were killed between 4pm and midnight, while a quarter of pedestrians were seriously injured between 4pm and 7pm.
Motorists are reminded to always drive within the speed limit and to watch out for vulnerable road users.
Cyclists and pedestrians should stay visible and observe their surroundings at all times.
Chief Superintendent David Harrington said, “The Easter Bank Holiday weekend is another very busy period on Irish roads, and a lot of people will be on the move this week with schools off for the Easter break.”
“Every Garda who is on duty this weekend will do all that they can to ensure that road users are safe and that those who break road traffic laws are detected.”
“The issues on our roads at present require the attention of every single person. Every driver is responsible for their own driving behaviour.”
“There is no excuse whatsoever to get behind the wheel of a car under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Keep your attention on the road – there is no valid reason to drive while distracted by your phone.”
Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Sean Canney, said, “As we head into the Easter weekend, my message is a simple one: nothing is more important on our roads than behaving responsibly to safeguard the lives of others.”
“As drivers, we must be mindful that we share the road with pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.”
“In recent years, we have seen an increase in the number of pedestrians tragically killed on our roads, and I appeal to all road users, but in particular drivers, to behave responsibly and to make the right choices this Easter weekend.”
“This means – not driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, putting mobile phones and other distractions away and not speeding. By choosing to behave responsibly, we are protecting our children, our families, and our friends who all share our roads.”
Alison Coleman, Director of People Development and Culture at the RSA, said, “Whether we are walking to school or work, to the shops, or home after a night out, we are all pedestrians at some point every day and safety matters to every one of us.”
“It means using pedestrian crossings where possible and, on rural roads, walking on the right-hand side and wearing hi-visibility clothing and using a torch at night.”
“As drivers, we have a key role to play in protecting pedestrians by driving responsibly and watching out for people walking on or beside our roads.”
“There have been a high number of pedestrian fatalities this year, with 11 of the 41 people killed on our roads to date being pedestrians. That is a stark reminder that we all share responsibility for making our roads safer.”
