37 fewer people have lost their lives on our roads, when compared with this time in 2014.

To date this year, 154 people have died on our roads - including 31 pedestrians.

The Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe says that road safety advertising, more garda checkpoints and changes to the penalty point system are partly to thank for the 19% decrease in road deaths.

Minister Donohoe says that less people are dying on our roads, even as they get busier.

"As of today, 37 fewer people have lost their lives on our roads versus a year ago - which is a decline of 19% versus a year ago, just under a decline of one-fifth" he told the Pat Kenny Show here on Newstalk.

"Many, if not all, of our roads are actually getting busier due to more jobs, more economic activity".

"So the decline in road deaths for car occupants is taking place at a point when our roads have got busier this year" he added.

He says this decease is down to a number of factors.