New Government Road Safety Plan Targets 50% Reduction in Deaths by 2030
Government launches new road safety plan targeting 50% reduction in deaths by 2030. Enhanced speed limits, camera enforcement and education programmes planned.
The Government has unveiled an ambitious Phase 2 Action Plan aimed at dramatically cutting road fatalities and serious injuries across Ireland, including Cork's roads, over the next three years.
Ministers Darragh O'Brien, Seán Canney, and Jerry Buttimer have published the comprehensive Phase 2 Action Plan of the Government's Road Safety Strategy, running from 2025 to 2027. The plan forms part of the broader Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030, which aims to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Irish roads by 50% this decade whilst working towards Vision Zero by 2050.
The strategy focuses on 12 primary actions designed to have transformative impacts on road safety, supported by 77 additional measures. Key initiatives include continued investment in safe, sustainable transport, the rollout of safer default speed limits, improved data sharing between agencies, enhanced camera-based enforcement, and the development of integrated road safety education programmes.
Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien said:
"I am pleased to publish the Phase 2 Action Plan of the Road Safety Strategy, which delivers on the Government's continuing commitment to reduce fatalities and serious injuries on our roads. As we are all painfully aware, there has been an increase in road deaths since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, through the work of stakeholders from across the sector, the numbers have been slowly improving since 2023 and it is important that we sustain and accelerate this progress."
Minister of State for Road Safety Seán Canney added:
"I welcome the publication of Phase 2 of our Road Safety Strategy and I look forward to regularly engaging with stakeholders from across the road safety sector on its implementation. I share the view of the Garda Commissioner that we need a road safety reset in this country and I am confident this Action Plan provides a framework through which we can achieve our road safety goals."
Minister of State for Rural Transport Jerry Buttimer emphasised:
"This Action Plan sets out clearly that improving road safety is a matter of concern and responsibility for us all. As Minister with responsibility for Rural Transport I am highly aware of the communities that have been blighted by the tragedy of road deaths and collisions, and I look forward to working with all stakeholders to make roads safer for all users."
The plan follows the Safe System approach, recognised as global best practice, which emphasises shared responsibility among those who design, build, manage and use roads and vehicles. This collaborative approach extends to post-crash response to mitigate injuries.
Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan stressed the enforcement aspect:
"Road safety is a shared responsibility and one which this Government takes very seriously. Ongoing enforcement of road safety laws by An Garda Síochána, the use of improved technology and the continued enhancement of the network of mobile, static and average speed cameras are important aspects of the Road Safety Strategy."
To support the plan's development, the Department of Transport established the Road User Safety Forum in September 2024, comprising road safety advocates and experts. The forum will continue providing feedback and advice throughout Phase 2's implementation.
The comprehensive action plan represents a coordinated effort between the Department of Transport, Road Safety Authority, and various government departments and state agencies to address Ireland's road safety challenges systematically.
