Road safety is a paramount concern for both residents and visitors in Ireland. To address this critical issue, the Irish government has been actively collaborating with numerous partners and stakeholders to implement effective policies and measures aimed at reducing road fatalities and injuries. This resource aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current situation and trends of road safety in Ireland. Additionally, it will explore the challenges faced in achieving further improvements while highlighting the opportunities that lie ahead.

According to the Road Safety Authority (RSA), Ireland recorded 147 road fatalities in 2020, which is 7 more than in 2019. This is despite the traffic on the National Road Network decreasing by 28% in 2020 compared to 2019. The road safety target of having fewer than 124 deaths or 25 traffic deaths per one million inhabitants by 2020 was not reached .The main causes of fatal collisions in 2020 were speeding, alcohol or drug impairment, non-use of seatbelts, distraction and fatigue. The most vulnerable road users were pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and older drivers. The majority of fatalities occurred on rural roads, especially on national secondary roads.

In December 2021, the government launched "Our Journey towards Vision Zero", Ireland's Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030. Its primary aim is to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries by 50% over the next ten years. This means lowering deaths to 72 or lower and reducing serious injuries to 630 or lower by 2030. The strategy has adopted the Safe System approach to road safety management, which recognises that human error is inevitable and that the road system should be designed to prevent crashes or minimise their consequences.

The strategy has six pillars: safe roads and mobility, safe vehicles, safe road users, post-crash response, data and monitoring, and governance and leadership. It also has 12 key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure progress and outcomes. Some of the actions proposed by the strategy include:

- Reviewing speed limits and enforcement
- Enhancing driver education and training
- Promoting active travel modes such as walking and cycling
- Improving vehicle safety standards and technology
- Strengthening road infrastructure design and maintenance
- Supporting victims and families of road crashes
- Developing a national road safety data hub
- Establishing a national road safety council 

The strategy is aligned with the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030 and the European Union's Vision Zero initiative. It also reflects the input from various stakeholders, including the public, who participated in an extensive consultation process .

In conclusion, Ireland has made significant progress in improving road safety over the past decades, but there is still room for further improvement. The new strategy sets out a clear vision and roadmap for achieving a safer road environment for all. It requires strong commitment and collaboration from all stakeholders and individual responsibility from all road users. Together, we can make our journey towards Vision Zero a reality.

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