Gardaí have put in place presumptive measures across Ireland as Christmas nears to limit road casualties. This comes after officials have warned that road deaths may reach a new high as the 2025 year comes to an end.
As of 22 December, there have been at least 184 lives lost in traffic collisions recorded by An Garda Síochána.
In response, Gardaí have rolled out over 100,000 checkpoints across the country in the largest initiative to date.
The operation began 1 December and will end 5 January. Gardaíwill be found patrolling the roads, testing drivers for drug and alcohol intoxication.
During the holiday period, the number of accidents rise exponentially due to increased recreational usage.
In a survey conducted by the Road Safety Authority (RSA), it was reported that 12% of drivers admitted to drunk driving in the past 12 months and 4% admitted to having driven after taking illicit drugs in the last 12 months.
Compared to 2024 where a number of 167 total traffic fatalities were noted, there has been a significant increase this year by seventeen.
According to Gardaí: 43 fatalities account for pedestrians, 74 account for drivers, 20 account for passengers; 2 account for e-cooter driver/passenger; 30 account for motorcyclists; 14 for pedal Cyclists and 1 for pillion passengers /other.
The number of total collisions has also risen from 154 (2024) to 173 (2025) since 22 December.
The European Transport Safety Council data reveals from 2024 that Ireland is the seventh leading country for road fatalities in Europe per one million people.
While the number of people killed on Irish roads continues to escalate, it was not always this way. In 2018, Ireland was ranked second lowest for road deaths in Europe with a record of 134.
However, despite past progress, the numbers have continued to fluctuate over the years.
There were a reported 179 killed in 2023 and the RSA found that those aged 16 to 25 made up 27 per cent of all road deaths in 2023 and 2024.
In response to this information, several representatives have made statements on the issue.
Assistant Commissioner Catharina Gunne, Roads Policing and Community Engagement stated; “Many people will be out socializing with colleagues, friends and family over the next few weeks. Please plan your ahead for your journey and leave the car at home.”
Minister of State with responsibility for Road Safety, SeánCanney T.D., similarly said, “my absolute priority as Minister for Road Safety is to see a reduction in the number of deaths on our roads. My message is simple: be safe this christmas.”
Fiona Zokou is the News Subeditor for SIN for 2025. She is a final year Human Rights, History and Politics student at University of Galway. Fiona is from Massachusetts, USA and has been writing for SIN since 2023.