Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The increase in the number of roads deaths in the last year has been shocking. Every life lost on the roads is a major tragedy. The last few months in particular have been totally devastating. Sixty-three people have died on our roads this year. These are 63 families left to grieve and lives ruined by loss, not to mention those who suffer serious injuries, sometimes life-changing. There are also life-long psychological impacts from road traffic accidents. Three of those who lost their lives were from County Louth and their families have been left absolutely devastated.

In the same period last year, 49 people were killed on our roads. This shows that there has been a significant increase in 2024. The behaviour of motorists has changed enormously in the last 20 years. Drink driving, speeding and, as a result, road deaths had reduced massively. We have introduced new road traffic legislation in the last ten years, including lower speed limits and penalties for drug driving. The issue, however, is enforcement. It is outrageous that there has been a 40% drop in the numbers of gardaí policing the roads in the last 20 years. We all know garda visibility is needed on our roads. If people can easily leave a pub, nightclub or house party knowing full well there is little or no chance of being stopped, what is preventing them from doing so?

See this speech in context