Dublin: Road Safety Week activities have officially got underway across Ireland, with road safety authorities and emergency services urging everyone using the roads to exercise greater caution, avoid distractions and reduce speed.
Irish Road Safety Week 2026 runs from Monday, October 5 to Sunday, October 11, with a nationwide programme of events aimed at reducing deaths and serious injuries on Irish roads. The campaign is being led by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) in partnership with An Garda Síochána, local authorities, schools, transport operators and community organisations. (RSA)
Road deaths remain a major concern
The latest provisional figures from An Garda Síochána show that 142 people had lost their lives in road traffic collisions in Ireland by October 2, 2026. The figure is already higher than the 128 fatalities recorded during the whole of 2025. (Garda)
The 2026 fatalities include drivers, passengers, pedestrians, motorcyclists, cyclists and users of e-scooters and e-bikes. Garda and RSA officials have repeatedly highlighted speeding, impaired driving, mobile phone use and failure to wear seat belts as major risks on Irish roads. (Garda)
Authorities are particularly concerned about the continued increase in road deaths and are calling on motorists to take personal responsibility for their behaviour behind the wheel.
Increased enforcement and high-visibility policing
An Garda Síochána is continuing high-visibility roads policing operations, with particular attention being given to the offences known to contribute to serious and fatal collisions.
These include:
- Speeding: Enforcement through mobile and fixed speed detection, particularly on higher-risk roads.
- Drink and drug driving: Increased efforts to detect drivers under the influence of intoxicants.
- Mobile phone use: Action against drivers using mobile phones or other hand-held devices while driving.
- Seat belt offences: Enforcement to ensure drivers and passengers are properly restrained.
Earlier this year, Gardaí reported more than 119,000 speeding fixed-charge notices and more than 14,500 notices for mobile phone use while driving during the first half of 2026. More than 3,000 fixed-charge notices were also issued for failure to wear a seat belt during the same period. (RSA)
The authorities' message is straightforward: slow down, put the phone away, wear your seat belt and never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 142 people killed on Irish roads so far this year, Gardaí and the Road Safety Authority are urging everyone to take road safety seriously.
- 🚗 Slow down
- 📵 Put the phone away
- 🍺 Never drive under the influence
- 💺 Always wear a seat belt
- 🚶 Watch out for pedestrians and cyclists
- 🚴 Give cyclists enough space when overtaking
Irish Road Safety Week runs from October 5–11.
Slow down. Stay alert. Save lives.
Focus on pedestrians and cyclists
The campaign is also placing strong emphasis on protecting vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.
With shorter daylight hours approaching, the RSA is encouraging pedestrians and cyclists to make themselves more visible by using high-visibility and reflective clothing.
The RSA's message is: “Be Safe, Be Seen.”
Motorists are reminded that they should leave at least 1 metre when overtaking a cyclist in speed zones of up to 50 km/h and at least 1.5 metres in zones above 50 km/h. Drivers should never attempt to squeeze past a cyclist when there is oncoming traffic or when the road ahead is not clear. (RSA)
Road safety events across Ireland
A wide range of educational and awareness events are taking place during Irish Road Safety Week.
The RSA National Road Safety Education Service is travelling across the country, delivering programmes to crèches, schools, universities, workplaces and communities.
The RSA's Shuttle and Rollover educational vehicles are also visiting schools during the week. Rollover demonstrations are designed to highlight the consequences of vehicle crashes and demonstrate the importance of wearing a seat belt.
On National Child Safety Day, scheduled for October 9, the RSA is distributing more than 50,000 high-visibility vests to pre-schools nationwide. The RSA's Seatbelt Sheriff programme is also visiting schools in several counties. (RSA)
Free tyre safety checks
Monday, October 5 has been designated Tyre Safety Day as part of Irish Road Safety Week.
Members of the Irish Tyre Industry Association (ITIA) are offering motorists free tyre pressure checks and tread-depth inspections at participating registered dealers around Ireland. (RSA)
The RSA states that tyres must have a minimum legal tread depth of 1.6 mm and must be free from defects. For safety reasons, however, the RSA recommends maintaining at least 3.0 mm of tread. (RSA)
Drivers are also advised to check tyre pressure regularly and look for cuts, cracks, bulges or other signs of damage.
Tyre offences and penalties
Driving with defective or worn tyres is an offence in Ireland.
According to the RSA, such an offence carries a €80 fixed charge, with 2 penalty points on payment and up to 4 penalty points upon conviction. If the fixed charge is not paid within the relevant payment periods, the amount can increase. (RSA)
The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm. The RSA recommends replacing tyres before they reach the legal minimum, particularly because greater tread depth can provide additional safety on wet roads. (RSA)
Speeding penalties
Speeding remains one of the principal road safety concerns in Ireland.
A standard speeding offence currently attracts a €160 fixed charge and 3 penalty points when the fixed charge is paid within the initial payment period. If payment is made during the subsequent 28-day period, the amount increases by 50% to €240. (Garda)
If a driver accumulates 12 penalty points within a three-year period, an automatic six-month driving disqualification applies. A lower threshold of 7 penalty points applies to relevant learner and novice drivers. (RSA)
Emergency rescue demonstrations
Emergency services are also using Road Safety Week to demonstrate what happens when people are trapped inside vehicles following serious crashes.
Live rescue and vehicle-extrication demonstrations are designed to show the work involved in freeing casualties and to reinforce the importance of preventing collisions in the first place.
Small changes can save lives
Road safety authorities are urging every driver, pedestrian and cyclist to recognise their personal responsibility when using the roads.
They stress that simple actions — slowing down, avoiding distractions, wearing a seat belt, staying sober and giving vulnerable road users sufficient space — can make a significant difference.
The central message of Irish Road Safety Week 2026 is clear: everyone has a role to play in making Ireland's roads safer and ensuring that people get home safely. Figures and penalty information are based on current provisional and official RSA/An Garda Síochána information available in October 2026. (RSA)
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