The number of pedestrian and cyclist deaths is now at the highest level in six years.
THE TRAGIC DEATH of a cyclist in her twenties in an incident involving a truck in Cork city yesterday morning marks the 13th death of a cyclist on Irish roads so far this year.
Increased garda enforcement and new lower speed limits on rural roads mean the total number of road deaths in Ireland is now falling - but the number of pedestrians and cyclists being killed is not.
In fact, the first half of this year saw the highest number of pedestrian and cyclist fatalities in six years.
Data from An Garda Síochána indicates that almost one third of people who have lost their lives on the road so far this year were walking or cycling.
As of 17 September, 24 pedestrians and 12 cyclists had been killed - five more pedestrians and five more cyclists than in the same period of last year.
A spokesperson for the RSA told The Journal that they are "particularly concerned" by the increases in pedestrian and cyclist deaths.
The RSA Mid-Year Report showed cyclist and pedestrian deaths are at a six-year high. (Left to right, bars indicate deaths in 2020-2025) Road Safety Authority Road Safety Authority
'Lack of action'
The RSA told The Journal that dangerous driving could be to blame for this worrying trend.
It said: "RSA research shows persistent levels of engagement in dangerous behaviours on our roads among a proportion of motorists."
These behaviours include speeding, drink-driving and, of course, using a phone while at the wheel.
"Simple actions such as slowing down, putting the phone down while driving, giving space to cyclists, and being alert for pedestrians can save lives," the RSA said.
Campaign group the Dublin Commuter Coalition told The Journal the issue is more systemic, with infrastructure and state action, or inaction, playing a major role.
The organisation agreed with the RSA that worsening driver behaviour - in particular speeding and mobile phone use - was likely to be a factor.
It also pointed to a lack of safe crossings, footpaths and bike lanes, as well as "inadequate policing, and most importantly, a lack of action from government".
Urban speed limit
It said a reduction in urban speed limits is urgently needed.
"We have been calling for the Department of Transport to recommit to strong action on road safety - in particular, reducing the default urban speed limit from 50km/h to 30km/h," the campaign group said.
The speed limit in some urban locations was planned to be reduced from 50 km/h to 30km/h this year. The reductions were put into law by the previous government as part of the Traffic Road Act 2024, but speed limits have not yet changed.
Speaking in the Daíl this month, Sean Canney, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, said instead of an overall reduction of the speed limit in some urban areas, the decision is being left up to local authorities, who can change existing speed limits in their area through bye-laws.
A spokesperson for the Dublin Cycling Campaign also said lower urban speed limits were needed given increased traffic on the roads.
"I get a sense since Covid-19 that everyone's rushing a lot more. Everyone needs to have increased respect," the spokesperson said.
"We would like to remind all road users that they are driving a weapon that can cause significant harm and death."
The RSA mid-year Report 2025 suggests that in the first half of 2025, a quarter of road deaths occurred on urban roads with a speed limit of 50km/h or less.
According to the Dublin Commuter Coalition, a pedestrian hit by a car travelling at 50km/h has an 80% chance of being killed, but a 90% chance of survival if the car is driving at 30km/h.
The Coalition, along with other road safety advocates, will be presenting their message in the Oireachtas 2 October, followed by a rally outside.
Four deaths every month
Thirty-six people have tragically lost their lives while cycling or walking on Irish roads this year, that's almost four deaths per month.
Since the beginning of this month, as well as the tragic deaths of a cyclist in her twenties in Cork city, an 80-year-old pedestrian died in Galway and two cyclists were killed on the same day after being struck by cars.
The 80-year-old woman was struck by a bus in Galway city on 15 September.
In Batterstown, Ballivor, Co. Meath, on 12 September Gardaí and emergency services responded to a fatal hit-and-run collision around 10am.
A male cyclist, aged in his 80s, was discovered unresponsive, and removed to Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown where he was subsequently pronounced deceased.
On the same day, another cyclist was killed in Kilmeany, Co Carlow, at around 11pm.
The cyclist, a man aged in his 20s, died at the scene.
The Department of Transport did not respond to request for comment.
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