189 Young Drivers Involved in 178 Fatal Collisions in Ireland Between 2021 and 2025

New research from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) shows that late night and early morning are particularly high-risk periods for young drivers involved in fatal collisions. The findings were presented at the RSA Annual International Conference in Dublin.

The research is contained in a new RSA report, Young Drivers in Casualty Collisions, Ireland 2021-2025. It shows that between 2021 and 2025, 189 young drivers aged 17 to 25 were involved in 178 fatal collisions in Ireland. These young drivers accounted for 19% of all drivers involved in fatal collisions during the period.

Time of day was a significant factor. Of the fatal collisions involving a young driver, nearly one third occurred between 8pm and midnight, while a further 21% occurred between midnight and 4am.

Of the 189 young drivers, 156 (83%) were male. The age group most represented was 22- and 23-year-olds, who together accounted for 55 drivers, or 29% of the total.

The theme of this year’s conference is Young Driver Risk. It brought together road safety experts, researchers, policymakers and practitioners to examine the factors contributing to collision risk among young drivers and how that risk can be reduced.

Delegates heard from a range of national and international road safety experts. They presented on key topics including Graduated Driver Licensing and international best practice in learning to drive. The potential role of telematics in reducing young driver risk, and the experience of Norway in reducing road deaths and serious injuries among young people, were also discussed.

Dr Kiran Sarma, Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Galway, presented emerging evidence on the psychology of young driver collision risk, including the role of sensation-seeking, peer influence, hazard perception and self-regulation. He said:

“Young drivers are not a single high-risk group. We are increasingly able to identify the psychological and behavioural factors that place some young drivers at greater risk than others, and this creates real opportunities to develop more targeted and effective interventions.”

Sean Canney TD, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, told the conference that driving can play an important role in providing young people with access to education, employment and wider opportunities. He said:

“A driving licence can mean independence. It can provide access to education, employment and opportunity. And, particularly for young people living in rural Ireland, the ability to drive can be an important part of participating fully in everyday life.”

He added:

“We want young people to experience all of those benefits. But we also have a responsibility to ensure that, as they begin their lives as drivers, they are supported to do so as safely as possible. The research being presented by the RSA today underlines the importance of that task.”

Sam Waide, Chief Executive of the RSA, said the research demonstrates the need for a holistic approach to addressing young driver risk. He said:

“The research shows that while young drivers account for a relatively small proportion of the driving population, they are overrepresented in fatal collisions. The concentration of fatal collisions during late-night and early-morning hours, alongside the strong representation of young men, highlights particular areas for continued focus in road safety policy, education, enforcement and intervention.”

He continued:

“The evidence points us towards a combination of measures, including education and training, enforcement, and the use of technology and other interventions.”

Presentations also highlighted the critical role of enforcement in protecting young drivers and other road users, the realities of rehabilitation following serious injury, and the wider European challenge of accelerating progress on road safety.

For more information, contact the Road Safety Authority Press Office on 096 25008.