Garda and RSA Urge Road Safety as Easter Bank Holiday Weekend Gets Underway

An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) are calling on all road users to drive and travel responsibly this Easter Bank Holiday weekend, as a nationwide road safety campaign gets underway.

The campaign began at 7am this morning, Thursday 2 April, and will run until 7am on Tuesday, 7 April 2026. Every Garda on duty over the long weekend will be engaged in road traffic enforcement activity.

Gardaí will place a particular focus on detecting drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The warning extends beyond motorists, with Gardaí noting that walking or cycling under the influence can also put road users at risk.

Road users are also being urged to take extra care around pedestrians and cyclists. Figures released alongside the appeal show that 2025 saw a 24% increase in pedestrian road deaths compared to the previous year. Of the 41 pedestrian fatalities recorded in 2025, the majority occurred on lower-speed roads of 60km/h or less, and over a third of those killed were crossing the road at the time of the collision.

One in four of the pedestrians killed were older people, while those under 25 accounted for 30% of seriously injured pedestrians. Close to half of all pedestrian fatalities occurred between 4pm and midnight.

Chief Superintendent David Harrington of the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau said:

"The Easter Bank Holiday weekend is another very busy period on Irish roads, and a lot of people will be on the move this week with schools off for the Easter break.

Every Garda who is on duty this weekend will do all that they can to ensure that road users are safe and that those who break road traffic laws are detected.

The issues on our roads at present require the attention of every single person. Every driver is responsible for their own driving behaviour – there is no excuse whatsoever to get behind the wheel of a car under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Keep your attention on the road - there is no valid reason to drive while distracted by your phone.

We are seeing an increase in pedestrian deaths on our roads and we want to ensure all road users are kept safe. Pedestrians and motorists should be visible and alert to their surroundings. Eliminate distractions and make responsible decisions to ensure everyone gets home safe this weekend."

Minister of State at the Department of Transport Sean Canney said:

"As we head into the Easter weekend, my message is a simple one: nothing is more important on our roads than behaving responsibly to safeguard the lives of others. As drivers we must be mindful that we share the road with pedestrians and other vulnerable road users. In recent years we have seen an increase in the number of pedestrians tragically killed on our roads and I appeal to all road users but, in particular drivers, to behave responsibly and to make the right choices this Easter weekend. This means – not driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, putting mobile phones and other distractions away and not speeding. By choosing to behave responsibly we are protecting our children, our families, our friends who all share our roads.

There will be a high volume of traffic this weekend and if you are walking I urge you to be vigilant. Be aware that there may be more cars on the roads, be aware of your surroundings, use designated pedestrian crossings, choose well-lit roads where possible and if walking at night-time wear high visibility clothing or use lights to help you be seen.

Last year 41 pedestrians died on our roads. Tragically in 2026 this trend is continuing. Every road user is entitled to feel safe and I urge all road users to make responsible decisions this weekend."

Alison Coleman, Director of People Development and Culture at the RSA, said:

"Whether we are walking to school or work, to the shops, or home after a night out, we are all pedestrians at some point every day and safety matters to every one of us. It means using pedestrian crossings where possible and, on rural roads, walking on the right-hand side and wearing hi-visibility clothing and using a torch at night.

As drivers, we have a key role to play in protecting pedestrians by driving responsibly and watching out for people walking on or beside our roads. There have been a high number of pedestrian fatalities this year, with 11 of the 41 people killed on our roads to date being pedestrians. That is a stark reminder that we all share responsibility for making our roads safer."

Motorists are reminded to always drive within the speed limit, wear a seatbelt, and keep mobile phones away while driving. Pedestrians and cyclists are advised to stay visible and alert at all times.