DUBLIN, Ireland: One in three people killed or seriously injured on Irish roads in 2025 have been under the age of 30, according to new figures released ahead of the Easter bank holiday weekend.

An Garda Siochana and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) are urging road users to take extra care over the weekend. They warn that increased traffic and more pedestrians could heighten the risk of collisions.

Garda data shows that from January to March, the number of drivers and pedestrians killed was above the five-year average for the same period. Half of those fatally injured this year were drivers, and two-thirds of fatal collisions involved only one vehicle.

Young people continue to be particularly vulnerable. In the first quarter of each of the past six years, those aged 20 or younger made up the largest group of pedestrians and passengers either killed or seriously injured in road crashes.

Gardai also noted that Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are seeing more collisions, with Friday incidents already twice the five-year average in 2025.

Chief Superintendent Jane Humphries of the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau said that younger drivers still appear not to be fully heeding safety warnings.

"There is a sense among some that gardaí are out conducting roads policing duties to catch people," she said. "That is absolutely not the case – we are working to help make sure everyone is safe on their journey."

She said no garda takes satisfaction in responding to a serious crash or delivering tragic news to families. "Our work is aimed at avoiding all of those awful circumstances," she added.

"With more people walking, cycling and travelling to see family, we urge everyone to slow down, stay sober, and keep your focus on the road," Humphries said.

RSA Director of Partnerships and External Affairs Sarah O'Connor echoed the warning. "There will be more traffic than usual on the roads, including an increased number of cyclists and pedestrians out enjoying the longer evenings," she said.

"There have been 48 lives lost on our roads so far in 2025 – and we do not want to add to that tragic figure."