Irish Road Safety Week (October 3-9) is focusing on motorcycle safety, tyre safety, driving for work and vulnerable road users.

To support the week, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is calling on road users to get involved in the ‘national drive to save lives’ and to find ways to be better, safer road users.

The RSA and its partners in road safety are reminding road users that small changes to behaviour on the roads can have a significant impact.

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Shane Ross TD said: “Unfortunately, 21 more people have been killed on our roads to date this year when compared to the same period last year. One of the ongoing challenges we face is complacency about our behaviour on the roads. However, the terrible tragedies we have seen, particularly over the past few weeks, should serve as a stark reminder to us all of how vulnerable we are when we use the roads. Irish Road Safety Week is an opportune time to look at how we use the roads and to ask ourselves what we can do to be better, safer road-users. So please, get involved in this national drive to save lives – your actions could help to save a life.”

Various activities will take place throughout the week including an Annual Road Safety Academic Lecture on ‘Motorcycle Safety’, ‘National Tyre Safety Day’, in association with the Irish Tyre Industry Association (ITIA), seminars on ‘Driving for Work’ and Beep Beep Day, which focuses on road safety for pre-schoolers.

Moyagh Murdock, Chief Executive, Road Safety Authority said: “There are just three months left in the year to reverse the road fatality trend we have seen so far this year. Road users in Ireland should be proud of the efforts they have made in recent years to make Ireland one of the safest countries in the EU. Now it is up to each and every one of us to step up our efforts and to strive to be the safest country in the world in terms of road safety. It is possible, but only if we work together to find ways to reduce the risk of death and injury on our roads. Find out what’s happening in your local community, get involved and play your part in saving lives and preventing serious injuries on our roads.”

To find out what else is planned for Irish Road Safety Week around the country, visit https://goo.gl/y1HRLX.