A new road safety strategy has been launched focusing on the effect of serious injuries.

The plan aims to close the gap between Ireland and other safer EU countries. It has set a new target of 124 road deaths and 330 serious injuries by 2020.

The strategy was launched by the Transport Minister Leo Varadkar at a major European road safety conference in Dublin Castle this morning.

This is the 4th Irish road safety strategy and comes at a time when road deaths are on the increase when compared to the same time last year.

Measures may be used by Judges

The plan includes measures such as an "alcolock" to immobilise vehicles, a handbrake-lock policy for employers to deter staff from using mobiles while driving and in-vehicle devices that sense tiredness.

Many of these measures are still in their infancy and none are mandatory yet but could be used by Judges when it comes to sentencing.

Ireland is currently the 5th-safest country in the EU when it comes to road deaths.

The new strategy will focus on the effect of serious injuries on road crash victims. And with the rising number of fatalities this year the Road Safety Authority (RSA) says the plan could not have come at a better time.

It has set a new target of 124 road deaths and 330 serious injuries by 2020. Chief Executive Noel Brett says our numbers need to fall.