Ireland could record more than 200 road deaths this year for the first time in more than a decade.

Two more people died on Ireland’s roads over the bank holiday weekend, bringing the total so far this year to 115.

Garda figures show that almost 1,000 people were caught speeding over the weekend – with nearly 130 people arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of an intoxicant.

Irish Independent journalist Ralph Reigel has labelled the road death figures “quite alarming” – warning that if the current rate continues, Ireland could see over 200 road deaths this year.

“The major concern is two people lost their lives over the weekend, the first two deaths of the month of August, which is traditionally the deadliest month on Irish roads,” he told The Pat Kenny Show.

“If you look at last year, there were 26 deaths in August, compared to just nine in September.

“We’re up to 115 deaths this year, which is about 13% or 14% higher than last year – and last year had the highest road death toll in over a decade.

"If we continue at the current rate, we’re going to come very, very close to 200 deaths this year.”

The last year that road deaths exceeded 200 was in 2010 when 212 people died on Irish roads.

Secondary roads

Mr Reigel said certain roads are more prone to fatal accidents than others.

“Motorways are between four and five times safer than other roads,” he said.

“An analysis of fatal collisions in recent years has shown that about 70% or 80% of collisions are occurring on secondary roads.

Also, with the time frame, most accidents are occurring in the early hours of the morning.

“What we do know is that Gardaí are now treating rural and secondary roads with special significance, roads that have between 50km to 100km speed limits.”

A person rides an e-scooter in Dublin city, 20/08/2020. Image: Sam Boal/Rollingnews.ie

Mr Reigel said motorists are only one part of the problem.

“In the past seven weeks, we’ve had three deaths involving e-scooters and each one of those was a young person,” he said.

“There’s a huge number of vulnerable road users; we’re talking about motorcyclists, bicyclists, pedal cyclists, and pedestrians.

“So, as well as there being significant issues in terms of driver behaviour, there are other issues.”

Drug driving

Mr Reigel said the modern issue of drug driving is also contributing to an increase in road deaths.

“Drug testing is relatively new and has only come into commonplace usage in the last four to five years,” he said.

“The concern is that drug driving is almost matching drunk driving now.

“Despite however many years of campaigns about people not getting behind the wheel while intoxicated, there certainly does seem to be a major problem rearing its head in terms of the number of drivers who think it’s okay to get behind the wheel under the influence of drugs.”

Around 7,500 people were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs in 2023.

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Main image: Garda at the scene of a road crash: AG News/Alamy Live News