‘This is a national emergency and it needs to be treated as such’ – Sligo councillor urges Government to act on road deaths

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

There have been calls for immediate and urgent Government intervention to address the continuing rise in road deaths and serious injuries across Ireland, amidst warnings that the crisis on Irish roads is now a national emergency that requires the same level of response as any major public health threat.

According to the latest Garda roads policing figures, 59 people have lost their lives on Irish roads up to May 15, compared to 60 fatalities during the same period in 2025. Last year saw 190 road deaths nationally, making it one of the deadliest years on Irish roads in more than a decade.

Cllr Marie Casserly said the ongoing level of fatalities and serious injuries shows that current efforts are failing to adequately protect lives and that stronger intervention, enforcement and implementation of existing legislation are urgently needed.

“Every weekend we hear of more lives lost, and more families devastated by fatal and serious road traffic collisions. Behind every statistic is a person, a parent, child, sibling, partner, friend or neighbour whose life has been cut short or forever changed. Entire communities are left grieving and traumatised by these tragedies.

“As I have stated before, if this was a virus or infection claiming this many lives in Ireland, we would immediately see a major multi-agency State response introduced to stop the deaths. There would be emergency meetings, coordinated action plans, public awareness campaigns, enforcement measures and substantial resources allocated immediately. Why are we not treating road deaths and serious injuries with the same level of urgency?

“This is a national emergency and it needs to be treated as such.”

Cllr Casserly said the impact of serious collisions extends far beyond the immediate loss of life and places enormous emotional, social and economic pressure on families, communities and public services.

“The trauma experienced by families following a fatal or serious collision lasts a lifetime. Families are left grieving loved ones, caring for people with life-changing injuries and facing enormous emotional and financial pressures. Entire communities feel the impact of these tragedies for years afterwards.

“There is also a massive cost to society through emergency response services, hospital care, rehabilitation, long-term disability supports, loss of productivity, insurance costs and increasing pressure on our already overstretched health system. The human and economic cost of inaction is enormous.”

She said road safety must now be treated as a national public health emergency requiring a fully coordinated response involving Government departments, local authorities, An Garda Síochána, the RSA, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, health services, schools and communities working together.

“We already have much of the legislation, recommendations and policy frameworks needed to make our roads safer, but implementation has been far too slow. The legislation that is already there now needs to be implemented urgently and properly enforced.

“There must also be tougher penalties and stricter sentencing for the most dangerous driving offences, including driving without insurance, excessive speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. People who make reckless decisions that place lives at risk must face meaningful consequences because dangerous driving is not a minor offence, it can have fatal and lifelong consequences for innocent families and communities.”

Cllr Casserly said a major increase in Garda roads policing and visible enforcement is urgently needed alongside stronger action on speeding, mobile phone use, dangerous overtaking, intoxicated driving and distracted driving.

She also called for significantly increased investment in road safety infrastructure, particularly in rural Ireland where many roads remain dangerous and public transport alternatives are limited.

“Communities repeatedly raise concerns about dangerous junctions, speeding, poor lighting, inadequate signage and unsafe road conditions, but too often progress is painfully slow until tragedy occurs. Prevention must become the priority.”

Cllr Casserly said investment is urgently needed in: Traffic calming measures; Safer junctions and pedestrian crossings; Road resurfacing and maintenance; Improved lighting and road signage; Segregated cycling and walking infrastructure; School safety zones; Increased Garda roads policing units and Faster delivery of accident blackspot improvement works.

She said Vision Zero must now move beyond policy commitments and be backed by urgent action and meaningful delivery.

“Vision Zero cannot simply remain a policy document or slogan. It must be backed by real urgency, funding, implementation and enforcement. Otherwise public confidence in the strategy will continue to decline while more lives are lost.

“These are not unavoidable accidents. Many road deaths and serious injuries are preventable. We need a major cultural shift in how road safety is prioritised nationally.

“One death on our roads is one too many. Government must now step up with immediate intervention, coordinated action and the urgency this crisis demands before more families suffer devastating and irreversible loss.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.