An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) are once again asking all road users to support their efforts to keep themselves and all others on the roads safe this May bank holiday weekend. There have been 55 deaths on Irish roads so far this year. As the weather improves, many of us will be taking to the roads to enjoy outdoor activities and travel to scenic locations across the country. This means, like with every other bank holiday weekend, there will be an increased number of road users on the move. Motorcyclists in particular are taking advantage of brighter, longer days and improved road conditions by taking to the road too. To help ensure that everyone using Irish roads this weekend remains safe, An Garda Síochána is conducting a roads policing operation throughout the May Bank Holiday weekend. The operation started this morning, Thursday 30th April 2026 at 7.00am, and will continue until Tuesday morning, 5th May 2026 at 7.00am. We all have a role to play in keeping our roads safe. The people most exposed on our roads are often the least visible. Drivers have a vital role in protecting themselves and more vulnerable road users. As always, drivers are urged to abide by the speed limit. Slow down and always choose a speed that is appropriate to the driving conditions and your surroundings. At no point is it safe or acceptable to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after having an intoxicant such as alcohol or drugs. This weekend’s enforcement operation is focusing on driving under the influence of an intoxicant, not wearing a seatbelt, speeding, and using a mobile phone while driving. An Garda Síochána’s analysis of road traffic incidents notes an overall increase in the number of lifesaver offences detected between March 2025 – February 2026, compared with the previous 12-month period. - 36% increase in speed detections
- 10% increase in the number of people using a mobile phone while driving
- 6% increase in the number of people not wearing seatbelts
- Incidents of driving while intoxicated are also up 4% over the previous 12-month period.
These figures display a sustained disregard for, not only road traffic legislation, but also the lives of other road users. Every time an offence is committed, someone’s life is put at risk. However, it is not the sole responsibility of drivers to take care when using our road network. Vulnerable road users like motorcyclists, pedestrians and cyclists should be visible and adhere to the rules of the road. 29 motorcyclists (including both drivers and pillion passengers) died on Irish roads in 2025. This number has significantly decreased with three (3) motorcycle fatalities so far this year. Analysis by An Garda Síochána has found an 80% decrease in motorcyclist fatalities by the end of March, compared to the same time last year. While this may seem like a positive trajectory, it is still three lives lost that could have been avoided. 195 motorcyclists were seriously injured in road traffic collisions in 2025. The Road Safety Authority published its Serious Injuries Among Motorcyclists Report today. The report includes data from the Irish Road Traffic Collision Database (2021-2025), which is based on collision records shared by An Garda Síochána with the RSA, and data from the Hospital In-Patient Enquiry Database (2020-2024). The report's hospital data found that between 2020 - 2024, 1,648 motorcyclists were admitted to hospital following a road traffic collision. - 89% of those hospitalised were male
- Half of those admitted were involved in a single-vehicle collision, meaning no other person or vehicle was involved in the collision
- Over a quarter (26%) sustained clinically serious injuries
- 71% sustained multiple injuries
- Four in 10 lived in Dublin
Superintendent Stephen McCauley from Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) Roads Policing said: "An extensive roads policing operation got underway this morning at 7.00am and this operation is in place nationwide. Gardaí work all year round to detect and deter road traffic offences which are known to increase the risk of death or serious injury on our roads. This risk further increases during bank holiday weekends. "Today we are appealing to motorcyclists in particular to take care on the roads. There will be an increased number of motorcyclists on our roads during the summer period. Check your bike is in roadworthy condition, take additional care when turning at junctions and entering onto a roadway, slow down and be aware of your surroundings at all times. "We all have a personal responsibility to prevent death and serious injuries on our roads. As always, An Garda Síochána is urging people to never, ever get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs; slow down and drive at the appropriate speed; always wear your seatbelt; and do not allow yourself to be distracted by a phone while driving.” Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Sean Canney, said: "I welcome An Garda Síochána’s nationwide roads policing operation focusing on motorcyclists. Last year Garda figures showed 29 motorcyclists tragically lost their lives on our roads with a further 195 seriously injured. While motorcyclists represent a relatively small group of road users, regrettably, recent years have seen a concerning rise in fatalities involving motorcyclists and we must work to reduce that number. "As we head into the May Bank Holiday weekend and as we approach the summer months, we will see more motorcyclists on our roads. I am appealing to all road users to be aware of motorcyclists on our roads, to take extra care, behave responsibly and to make the right choices to protect all road users including motorcyclists. "All road users are entitled to feel safe on our roads and I urge everyone to make responsible and safe decisions this Bank Holiday weekend. This means never driving under the influence of drink or drugs, put away mobile phones and other distractions, and do not speed. Please behave responsibly to protect our children, our families and our friends who all share our roads." Road Safety Authority Director, Michael Rowland, commented, "While motorcycles make up a relatively small proportion of traffic on our roads, injuries among riders remain a serious concern. With 1,648 motorcyclists hospitalised over a five-year period, and over a quarter sustaining clinically serious injuries, it is evident that motorcyclists continue to face significant risks. The fact that half of these incidents involve single-vehicle collisions also points to the need for ongoing focus on rider training, and awareness. Reducing these numbers will require a collective effort to improve safety for motorcyclists.” | 