NEW CONTINENTAL VIDEO FOR TYRE SAFETY DAY

Continental Tyres Ireland has commissioned a new video for Tyre Safety Day, marked on October 5, in collaboration with content creator Michael Deady, writes Brian Byrne. The video aims to encourage motorists, especially younger drivers, to regularly check their tyres. 

Tom Dennigan, Head of Continental Tyres Ireland, and Deady highlight examples of neglected tyres at a Dublin Modern Tyres outlet, emphasising the risks of driving on tyres below the legal tread depth or with visible damage. 

Dennigan stresses that regular, simple inspections can prevent serious safety issues and extend tyre life. The video will be available on Continental Tyres’ Instagram account.  

Motorcycle safety campaign

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has launched a campaign urging drivers to “Look Right, Look Left, Look Right Again” at junctions to enhance motorcycle safety, writes Brian Byrne. Motorcyclists are highly vulnerable, with 954 seriously injured in Ireland from 2021 to 2025, and 16 fatalities this year. 

The campaign highlights that failure to observe is a common cause of collisions, especially at junctions. Developed through data analysis and expert consultation, the initiative aims to prevent accidents by encouraging drivers to take an extra glance for motorcyclists, who are smaller and harder to spot. 

As summer progresses, the RSA calls on all road users to slow down and be vigilant to improve safety. 

New e-scooter regulations agreed

Image: Cottonbro via Pexels.

The Irish Government has approved new e-scooter regulations led by Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien and Road Safety Minister Seán Canney, writes Brian Byrne. Key changes include raising the minimum age for e-scooter users to 18, mandating helmets and high-visibility clothing, increasing fines for e-scooter offences, and doubling fees for detained e-scooters. 

The Department of Transport will pause public e-scooter scheme funding and explore further proposals like vehicle registration and insurance.

Meanwhile, reforms at the Road Safety Authority (RSA) will introduce a Road Safety Ambassadors Programme, expand education initiatives, and improve driver services. The National Vehicle and Driver File, Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2026 will facilitate traffic collision data sharing, consider careless driving charges, and abolish paper motor tax discs. 

Euro NCAP calls for US-standard truck under-run tech

Top, the US system outperforms the European system, underneath.

A study by Euro NCAP and UK safety organisations reveals that rear impact guards on trucks and trailers in Europe are inadequate, leading to hundreds of road deaths annually, writes Brian Byrne. The study highlights a double failure in road safety: older ADAS sensors fail to detect trailers, and rear safety guards fail to prevent cars from sliding beneath them. 

Euro NCAP is urging EU and UK legislators to implement changes to R58.03 legislation to match the US IIHS TOUGHGUARD standard and for trailer manufacturers to introduce upgrades and retrofit solutions. 

The investigation analysed collision data, focusing on trailer rear underrun impacts. This crash type potentially causes around 400 fatalities annually in the EU and UK. 

Test vehicles detected threats consistently against standard laboratory GVTs but struggled with real HGV rear-ends and impact protection vehicles used in roadworks, highlighting a gap between current and older ADAS systems. With the average car age rising, it will take over 15 years for most cars to avoid stationary trailers, underscoring the need for improved crash protection now. 

Tests of two commonly used trailers with regulated rear underrun protection systems resulted in severe outcomes, showing the car’s crash structure couldn’t protect occupants due to poor impact resistance. 

Since 2017, 70% of the latest US trailers have IIHS TOUGHGUARD-rated devices. Euro NCAP urges EU and UK legislators to update R58.03 legislation to match the US standard and calls on trailer manufacturers to offer voluntary upgrades and retrofit solutions for existing fleets. They also encourage truck fleet operators to request retrofit solutions to replace inadequate legacy guards on EU and UK roads.

Testing was carried out in laboratories across the UK, Germany, and the US. Supporting organisations are Germany’s ADAC, Swedish Transport Administration (Trafikverket), and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the US. 

Motorcyclist fatalities hit five-year high in 2025

The Road Safety Authority has reported that 117 motorcyclists died on Irish roads between 2021 and 2025, with 954 seriously injured in the same period, writes Brian Byrne. That works out at an average of 23 fatalities and 191 serious injuries a year.

Motorcyclists accounted for 14% of all road deaths and 12% of serious injuries over the five years. The RSA said 2025 saw 30 motorcyclist fatalities, the highest annual figure since 2007, when 33 were recorded.

The report found that the biggest share of deaths was among riders aged 46 to 55, followed by those aged 16 to 25. Most of those killed were male, and nearly half of the fatalities happened at weekends. Dublin recorded the highest number of motorcyclist deaths, followed by Cork and Wicklow.

The RSA said the findings underline the need for all road users to share the road safely. 

Continental Tyres urges drivers to use EU tyre label for safer choices

Continental Tyres is highlighting the EU tyre label as an important guide for motorists choosing new tyres, writes Brian Byrne. In a new educational video with content creator Erika Crawte, Tom Dennigan of Continental Tyres Ireland explains that the label helps drivers compare tyres on fuel efficiency, wet grip and external noise.

Dennigan said the label gives consumers clear, independent information about how tyres perform in real-world conditions, helping them make better choices based on safety, comfort and sustainability. He also pointed to independent tyre tests as a useful extra source of advice.

He stressed that tyres are the only contact point between a vehicle and the road, making wet-grip performance especially important in Ireland’s rainy conditions. Dennigan also reminded drivers to check tyre pressure, tread depth and overall condition regularly, saying even a good tyre will not perform properly if it is poorly maintained.

Under EU rules, retailers must show the tyre label before purchase. If they do not, motorists should ask to see it.

RSA alcohol campaign for summer festivals

Main pic by George Charry via Pexels.

The Road Safety Authority is bringing its summer road safety campaign to some of Ireland’s biggest concerts, festivals and sporting events, writes Brian Byrne, with a strong focus on the dangers of drink driving.

The initiative, which began at Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds at Malahide Castle, will see the RSA attend major events nationwide in the coming months. A key part of the campaign is the use of FlineBox interactive breathalysers, powered by Dräger alcohol sensor technology, allowing people to voluntarily check their breath alcohol level and get guidance on when it is safe to drive.

The campaign comes as new RSA research shows alcohol remains a factor in serious and fatal road collisions. Between 2021 and 2025, 384 surviving drivers involved in fatal and serious injury crashes tested positive for alcohol, with those collisions resulting in 38 deaths and 264 serious injuries.

The RSA said the campaign is aimed at bringing life-saving road safety messages directly to large summer audiences across the country. 

More than three in four injured cyclists are men

Pic by Yavuz Kosar via Pexels.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has published a new “Cyclist Spotlight Report: Fatalities and Serious Injuries” document examining cyclist casualties on Irish roads between 2021 and 2025, writes Brian Byrne. The report is based on data from the Irish Road Traffic Collision Database.

The document shows that over half (55%) of cyclists seriously injured were aged 26–55, and that men accounted for 78% of serious injuries. Most serious injuries (79%) occurred between 8 am and 8pm, with the peak period between 4pm and 8pm. High proportions were also recorded between Tuesday and Thursday and from May to September.

Dublin accounted for 52% of all serious cyclist injuries over the period. Nearly half (48%) of serious injuries happened at junctions, while 83% occurred on straight roads. In terms of collision type, 69% of seriously injured cyclists were involved in multiple-vehicle collisions, most commonly with a car or light goods vehicle. Single-vehicle collisions accounted for 20% of serious injuries, and hit-and-run incidents for 11%.

The report follows a separate RSA study using hospital data, which found that 3,305 cyclists were admitted to hospital between 2020 and 2024 after road traffic collisions — a figure significantly higher than serious injury numbers recorded by An Garda Síochána. The RSA says underreporting and differences in injury classification may explain the gap between hospital and Garda data. 

Driving for work is one of most serious occupational safety risks

Deirdre Sinnott McFeat, Senior Inspector, Health and Safety Authority.

Driving for work remains one of the most serious occupational safety risks in Ireland, writes Brian Byrne. New research highlighted by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has shown that work-related journeys account for a significant share of road deaths and serious injuries.

Presenting findings at a Driving for Work seminar focused on light commercial vehicles, the RSA revealed that between 2021 and 2025, 12% of drivers killed on Irish roads were driving for work. One in four drivers involved in fatal collisions, and 19% of those involved in serious injury collisions – a total of 1,502 drivers – were also on work-related trips.

The research highlighted worrying levels of speeding and mobile phone use among light goods vehicle drivers, particularly on urban roads, with many drivers reporting feeling pressured by work demands to take risks.

RSA Director Michael Rowland said organisations operating van fleets must put road safety at the heart of their operations, with clear policies, training, proper vehicle maintenance and a culture where safety comes before commercial pressures. Senior Inspector Deirdre Sinnott McFeat of the Health and Safety Authority added that employers have a “vital role” in preventing deaths and serious injuries by ensuring effective driving-for-work policies.

The Driving for Work programme is a joint initiative of the RSA, the Health and Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána to support employers in managing occupational road risk.

Cyclist Safety gap widens across Europe

Cyclist safety in Europe is falling behind that of car occupants, according to a new report from the European Transport Safety Council, writes Brian Byrne. While deaths among motorised road users have declined steadily over the past decade, cyclist fatalities have barely fallen.

In 2024, 1,926 cyclists were killed on EU roads. Between 2014 and 2024, cyclist deaths dropped by just 8 per cent, compared with a much faster reduction among car occupants and other motor vehicle users. Cyclists now make up 10 per cent of all road deaths in the EU.

The report calls for lower urban speed limits, better enforcement, and major investment in protected cycling infrastructure.

In Ireland, cyclist death rates remain low by EU standards, but serious injuries are a growing concern. Hospital data suggest the problem is significantly undercounted in Garda records, pointing to a much greater safety challenge than official figures show.

Road safety experts say governments cannot continue promoting cycling for health and climate goals without also making it safer, especially as motor vehicles remain involved in most fatal cyclist collisions. 

Continental produces road safety videos for Irish drivers

Continental Tyres Ireland has teamed up with content creator Erika Crawte to produce a series of short information videos aimed at boosting awareness of tyre safety and maintenance, particularly among younger motorists, writes Brian Byrne. The latest video in the campaign features Continental’s Tom Dennigan explaining the benefits of all-season tyres for Irish driving conditions.

Dennigan outlines how all-season tyres blend summer and winter tyre technology to deliver strong performance in moderate climates, providing reliable grip and safety in rain, summer heat and light winter conditions. He contrasts this with traditional summer tyres, which can lose effectiveness below 7°C, and winter tyres, which are primarily designed for the harsher, snowy winters typical of northern and eastern Europe.

All-season tyres, such as Continental’s AllSeasonContact 2 range, feature more tread blocks, edges and sipes, as well as an open shoulder and deeper, wider channels to improve grip and disperse water, snow and slush. The range is also EV-compatible, indicated by a dedicated EV logo, underlining Continental’s push to promote safer, climate-appropriate tyre choices for Irish motorists. 

Landowners urged to cut roadside hedges

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and the County and City Management Association (CCMA) are urging landowners to trim their hedgerows by the end of the month to prevent them from creating a road safety hazard, writes Brian Byrne. 

Properly maintained hedges help ensure vulnerable road users are not pushed onto the road by overgrown foliage. They also provide motorists with a clear view of the road ahead or around bends, particularly on rural roads where sightlines at junctions or obstructions to road signs are concerned. 

Section 70 of the Roads Act 1993 assigns responsibility for maintaining roadside hedges to the owners or occupiers of the adjacent land. Under the Wildlife Act 1976, hedge-cutting is banned from 1 March to 31 August, except where overgrowth poses a danger to road safety. 

Irish School of Excellence wins road safety award

The Irish School of Excellence, a practical driver education and road safety programme specially designed for Transition Year students, received the Vulnerable Road User Award at the recent 2025 Leading Lights Road Safety Awards, writes Brian Byrne. The award recognises groups and organisations that are enhancing safety for pedestrians, cyclists, children, and older people. 

Minister of State for International & Road Transport, Sean Canney TD, presented the award to Kieran O’Brien from the ISE. Supported by Allianz, this school is Ireland’s only certified, on-site driving and road safety programme, delivered directly in schools with no off-site travel needed. Students have the chance to drive a vehicle with a qualified instructor, practise the Theory Test, learn about buying and taxing a vehicle, explore road safety and green energy, and acquire basic mechanics skills, among other things. In 2021, the school also introduced an E-scooter safety module. 

Kieran O’Brien said that over 25 years, the school has delivered its programme to more than 500,000 students across the country. 

Tyre failure rates in NCT described as 'shocking'

Tyre issues accounted for the highest visual defect failures with the NCTS last year, writes Brian Byrne. At 14.3 per cent of fails, that amounts to more than 250,000 cars. 

The second-highest visual failure was suspension at 10.9 per cent, followed by steering linkage defects at 8.5 per cent.

The results are shocking according to Tom Dennigan of Continental Tyres Ireland, who says Irish drivers need to "up their game' when it comes to tyre safety. 

"Tyre manufacturers as well as their industry representative bodies, such as the Irish Tyre Industry Association (ITIA), and road safety organisations, all engage in well thought-out tyre safety campaigns," he said. "On the evidence of these latest NCT statistics, Irish drivers are not heeding these important road safety messages.” 

Road deaths increased in 2025

Image: Artyom Kulakov, via Pexels.

A report published by the Road Safety Authority shows that a total of 185 individuals lost their lives in 174 fatal collisions during 2025, writes Brian Byrne. That compares to 171 deaths in 157 fatal collisions in 2024. 

The increase of 14 fatalities represents an 8 per cent rise year-on-year.

Of these, 76 were drivers (41%), 41 were pedestrians (22%), 30 were motorcyclists (16%), 21 were passengers (11%), 14 were pedal cyclists (8%), and 3 were e-scooter users (2%).

The report shows a rise in fatalities among drivers, as well as among vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, pedal cyclists, and motorcyclists. 

February (11 fatalities) and June (11 fatalities) recorded the fewest deaths in 2025, whereas November and December recorded the highest fatalities, with 21 and 24, respectively. 

Drop in use of helmets by cyclists, e-scooters

Fewer pedal cyclists and e-scooter riders in Ireland are wearing helmets, writes Brian Byrne. That's according to a study by the Road Safety Authority.

Only half of pedal cyclists in the study were observed to be wearing helmets, a 7 per cent decrease since 2024. Only 27 per cent of e-scooter riders were observed wearing safety helmets, down 15 per cent since the previous year.

Very high helmet use rates were again observed among motorcyclists, at 98 per cent, consistent with prior studies.

In addition, only 19 per cent of e-scooter riders wore hi-viz clothing, compared to 28 per cent of motorcyclists and 20 per cent of pedal cyclists. 

New regulations for learner permits repeaters

Regulations are coming to ensure learner drivers cannot repeatedly renew their learner permits without taking a driving test, writes Brian Byrne. But they won't be implemented for another year.

The new regulations amend the Road Traffic (Licensing of Drivers) Regulations (S.I. 537 of 2006). They will come into effect on 1 November 2026.

From that date, learner divers who have held a permit in categories A, A1, A2, AM, B, or W for four years will have to take a practical driving test before renewing their permit. Currently, learners can renew their permits multiple times if they have booked or scheduled a driving test.

In addition, learners who have held a learner permit for seven years will have to restart the learning-to-drive process. For learners in category B (car), this process comprises a theory test, obtaining a learner permit, completing 12 Essential Driver Training lessons, and sitting a practical test.

Data from the Road Safety Authority shows that nearly one in five holders of category B learner permits have renewed their licences three or more times. Almost 60 per cent of this group — approximately 38,000 people — have yet to sit a driving test. 

Councils directed to work on 30km/h speed limits

Local authorities are being asked to implement 30 km/h speed limits on roads in built-up and urban areas by the end of March 2027, writes Brian Byrne. This follows a directive from Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien to councils to review existing speed limits in such areas.

The instruction aligns with Action 5 of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy Phase 2 Action Plan for 2025 to 2027, published in July this year. It supports the overall aim of the Road Safety Strategy to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Ireland's roads by 50 per cent by 2030.

Local authorities will make speed limit changes by adopting special speed limit bylaws rather than by changing default limits. Making bye-laws is a reserved function of local authorities.

This means that each local authority will hold a statutory public consultation, allowing residents to actively participate in decision-making. 

'Get winter-ready', RSA urges

Winter safety warning to motorists

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is marking 25 years of the National Car Test (NCT) by urging motorists to get winter-ready, writes Brian Byrne. With colder, wetter weather on the way, keeping vehicles roadworthy is vital for safety.

Since 2000, approximately 26 million full NCT tests have been carried out. Last year, the NCT completed 1.7million full NCT tests which is the highest in the services history.

Brendan Walsh, Chief Operations Officer at RSA, says winter poses additional risks on Irish roads, and poorly maintained vehicles can be more susceptible to breakdowns or collisions in challenging conditions. "We are urging all motorists across Ireland to prepare their vehicles and carry out regular car maintenance checks," he says. "This includes checking tyres and lights regularly, keeping fluids topped up and windows clean for optimum visibility and ensuring you book in your yearly vehicle service."

The most common reasons cars fail the NCT include worn tyres, faulty brake lines, seatbelt and exhaust system conditions, as well as defective suspension. Many of these issues can be prevented with regular servicing. 

Drop in observed use of mobiles while driving

The percentage of Irish drivers observed using handheld mobile phones has dropped by a third to 6 per cent in 2024, compared to the previous year, writes Brian Byrne. The drop has been even steeper in the LCV segment, from 13 per cent to 2 per cent.

In the RSA’s 2024 Driver Attitudes and Behaviour study, it was also observed that men and women drivers were equally likely to be observed using a device. Morning drivers and those driving at lunchtime were likelier to use their devices.

However, the self-reported element of the study suggested the issue was much broader; more than one in five respondents said they check notifications at least sometimes while driving, while 12 per cent admitted to responding to texts or social media posts while driving.