The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has reported a 4% decrease in road deaths for 2024.
Statistics from the RSA show that a total of 174 people lost their lives on Irish roads last year, which is down from 181 road deaths recorded in 2023.
While the 4% decrease is a positive development, the RSA maintained that the number of fatalities remains far too high and reiterated the need for continued road safety efforts and awareness to reduce the number of deaths and injuries on Irish roads.
Regionally, Dublin (23), Cork (19), Mayo (19) and Donegal (17) reported the highest number of fatalities, accounting for 45% of the total figure; while a high percentage of male fatalities was also recorded in the data.
The trend of young driver fatalities also continued in 2024 with 60 recorded fatalities (35%) occurring where drivers were aged 25 years or younger.
Seven in ten fatal road collisions took place on roads with a speed limit of 80km or greater. With almost a quarter (23%) of road fatalities happening between 4pm and 8pm, indicating a peak in road accidents during late afternoon and early evening when people are travelling from work or school.
John Kennedy, Managing Director of KennCo Insurance, said of the news, “While it’s encouraging to see a reduction in road deaths, the fact remains that 174 fatalities is still far too many. The trend of young fatalities is particularly concerning, and it is clear that more targeted efforts are needed to improve road safety among younger drivers. As an insurer, we remain committed to supporting road safety initiatives and offering products that promote safe driving and safer roads for everyone.”
In a statement following the published report, Minister of State with responsibility for Transport James Lawless said that the government will be moving into Phase 2 of its Road Safety Strategy in 2025.
“The work of my Department is focused on making our roads safer for everyone who uses them. In February 2025 the default speed limit on rural local roads will be reduced, following the recommendation of the 2023 Speed Limit Review. This will tackle one of the biggest contributory factors to road collisions – speed”, the minister said.
Ireland’s Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 aims to cut deaths and serious injuries on Irish roads by 50% by 2030, reducing fatalities to 72 or fewer and serious injuries to 630 or fewer.
This is part of the broader ‘Vision Zero’ goal that aims to eliminate all road deaths and serious injuries in Ireland by 2050. Phase 2 of the strategy will be launched in 2025, with the action plan to be formally adopted in early 2025.
About KennCo Insurance
KennCo Insurance, established in 2008, operates as a part of KennCo Underwriting Limited, which has risen to become one of Ireland’s largest underwriting agencies. Proudly based in Rathfarnham, Co. Dublin, we are committed to providing competitively priced insurance policies for car, van, travel and home.
KennCo Underwriting Ltd T/A KennCo Insurance is regulated by The Central Bank of Ireland.