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 them and all others on the roads safe this Easter Weekend. Many will be planning to gather with family and loved ones over this Easter weekend and Gardaí expect that there will be therefore be more road users on the move.
To help ensure that everyone using Irish roads this weekend remains safe, a Garda Road Safety Campaign will be in place. It got underway at 7am this morning and will run until 7am on Tuesday, 7th April 2026. Every member of An Garda Síochána on-duty this long weekend will be out conducting road traffic enforcement activity but they need the public’s help.
Gardaí will be placing a particular emphasis on detecting those driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs this weekend. At no point is it safe or acceptable to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after having an intoxicant like alcohol or drugs. Walking home or cycling under the influence of alcohol or drugs can also put you and other road users at risk.
An Garda Síochána is urging road users to take extra caution around vulnerable road users, in particular pedestrians. As the evenings become brighter and the weather improves, pedestrians and cyclists are taking advantage of our road network.
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. Always wear a seatbelt and never use a mobile phone when driving. Keep distractions out of the vehicle and put your full attention on the road. Cyclists and pedestrians should stay visible and observe their surroundings at all times.
