Gardai and RSA launch road safety campaign for Easter weekend

An Garda Síochána, along with the Road Safety Authority, have urged all road users to be safe on the roads this Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

As usual for holiday periods, An Garda Siochana will have an increased presence on our roads, with the Road Safety Campaign starting at 7am on Thursday and ending on Tuesday, April 7.

A particular emphasis is being put on targeting those who choose to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Gardai are also urging road users to take extra caution when dealing with vulnerable road users, including pedestrians.

In 2025, there was a 25% increase in pedestrian fatalities compared to the previous year, and the majority of these occurred on lower speed roads.

Half of the pedestrians were killed between 4pm and midnight, and another quarter were seriously injured between 4pm and 7pm.

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.”

Sean Canney, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, 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, 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, and our friends who all share our roads.

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"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.”