'Devastating year' - Major concerns over surge in deaths of vulnerable road users in 2025

More than a fifth of those who died on Irish roads last year were pedestrians, new statistics have revealed.

Provisional data from An Garda Síochána, published this New Year's Day, shows there was a significant increase in fatalities on Irish roads and in public places (car parks, non-public roads) during 2025. According to the figures, 190 people died in 179 separate incidents. 

Of the 185 fatalities which occurred on public roads over the past 12 months, 76 were drivers (41%), 41 were pedestrians (22%), 30 were motorcyclists (16%), 21 were passengers (11%), 14 were pedal cyclists (8%) and 3 were e-scooter users (2%).

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According to the Road Safety Authority, The number of cyclists killed in 2025 was the highest since 2017, while the number of motorcyclist fatalities was the highest recorded since 2007. In contrast, fatalities among passengers decreased compared to 2024.

Overall, approximately three quarters of those killed on Irish road last year were male, with one quarter female.

February and June recorded the lowest number of road deaths (11) while December saw the highest number of fatalities occurring (24).

Reacting to the provisional data, Minister of State with responsibility for Road Safety, Seán Canney said: “Last year was an incredibly difficult year on Irish roads. Too many families have faced heartbreak. Too many communities have been left grieving. It is a stark reminder that road safety is not just a policy area or a set of statistics – this is about people’s lives, about loved ones, about futures changed in an instant.

“My absolute priority as Minister for Road Safety is to make Irish roads safer for everyone, and I will continue to work closely with all road safety stakeholders in the New Year to achieve this.”

Sam Waide, Chief Executive of the RSA, said: “It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the tragic loss of life on Ireland’s roads in 2025. We are deeply concerned by the increase in fatalities, particularly among our most vulnerable road users – cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists.

“With sustained political commitment, a whole-of-government response, and adequate resourcing and funding, I firmly believe we can reverse this tragic increase in road deaths.”

Assistant Garda Commissioner Catharina Gunne, An Garda Síochána, Roads Policing and Community Engagement, said: “2025 has been a devastating year for the families of the 190 persons who died on our roads.  Each of these deaths has had a profound impact on their loved ones, families, friends, colleagues and communities.

“An Garda Síochána remains committed to improving road safety and minimising the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads, and will continue to do so in 2026 targeting those drivers with the most risky and dangerous driving behaviours.  

“As a society we all need to work together to bring real impact to ‘Vision Zero’ Ireland’s Road Safety Strategy 2030.

“We once again need to adjust attitudes to driver behaviour and make driving while under the influence of any intoxicant, inappropriate speed and driving while distracted unacceptable behaviours.

“As a society we all need to call them out! By working together as communities, we can all make our roads safer in 2026.”