Male drivers accounted for almost eight in 10 driver fatalities and just over six in 10 seriously injured drivers between 2019 and 2023, new data shows.

Figures from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) show an average of 65 drivers were killed and 471 were seriously injured annually over the period.

Some 85% of fatalities occurred on rural roads and more than seven in 10 drivers were seriously injured on rural roads.

The highest proportion of fatalities - 12% - occurred in December, while 10% of serious injuries happened in August.

Driver using cellphone while driving. Image: imtmphoto / Alamy

According to the RSA’s Driver Spotlight Report for every driver fatality there were seven drivers seriously injured.

The report also reveals more than one-quarter of driver fatalities and 28% of seriously injured drivers were injured at weekends.

Meath and and Cork were the counties with the highest number of fatalities - while Cork and Dublin had the most serious injuries.

The high proportions of fatalities and serious injuries occurred on a straight road.

Three in 10 fatalities and almost one in four serious injuries occurred on a road with a curve or slight bend.

Main image: A man driving a car. Image: Dunca Daniel Mihai / Alamy