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- Ireland
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- Week starting with the 1st Monday of October
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Irish Road Safety Week shines a light on critical road safety issues across Ireland, taking place from October 5-12, 2026. Organized by the Road Safety Authority (R.S.A.), this annual event aims to reduce fatalities and injuries through education and advocacy. Participate in local events, share safety tips, and commit to safer driving habits.
Want to sponsor Irish Road Safety Week? Learn how
Expected Irish Road Safety Week Deals
Irish Road Safety Week focuses on public awareness and education rather than commercial deals. The Road Safety Authority (R.S.A.) partners with various organizations to distribute free driver manuals, bicycle lights, and reflective gear to promote safe practices. Look for community workshops, school programs, and online resources provided by the R.S.A. and local councils. Companies like Applegreen and Circle K may support awareness campaigns at their service stations, offering informational leaflets or promoting safe driving messages. We will update this page with confirmed live initiatives as October 5 approaches.
Platform Guide for Irish Road Safety Week
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #IrishRoadSafetyWeek. Share educational infographics or personal safety pledges.
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #IrishRoadSafetyWeek. Follow the R.S.A. for real-time updates and retweet key safety messages.
Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #IrishRoadSafetyWeek. Discuss workplace road safety policies or share insights from industry experts.
Irish Road Safety Week Hero
Moyagh Murdock
History of Irish Road Safety Week
In ancient times, roads originally carried all sorts of traffic indiscriminately, from beasts of burden to pedestrians. In Rome, important people traversing crowded streets and alleys used minions to clear the way for their litters (wheelless vehicles pulled by humans), carts, and chariots. This showed that the mighty preferred not to trample the bystanders.
The invention and use of powered vehicles in the 19th century inspired the British road safety law to impose speed limits. There was also a requirement that a person on foot should carry a red flag warning those in control of vehicles to stop at his signal. The law that brought these changes was called ‘The Locomotives on Highways Act 1865,’ generally known as the ‘Red Flag Act.’
Today, road behavior and rules have been developed to prioritize certain types of traffic. Motoring groups particularly lobbied for the priority of motorized traffic. Road safety laws moved children off the streets and shoved pedestrians, bicycles, wheelchairs, and scooters to the sidelines. Over time, cities developed concepts such as shared space and living streets to counter this paradigm.
Apart from awareness campaigns, other measures to boost road safety worldwide include the Global Designing Cities Initiative by the National Association of City Transportation Officials to help cities design environmentally-sustainable roads. Such roads improve mobility and economic development while promoting public health, safety, and quality of life. Another initiative is the World Bank’s Global Road Safety Facility, which provides interest-free loans to low- and middle-income countries to help them execute affordable road safety programs.
Irish Road Safety Week timeline
Bridget Driscoll, 44, of Croydon becomes the first pedestrian killed by a car in the U.K.
On October 31, the world's first crosswalk is officially installed in Slough, England.
The earliest recorded use of the phrase ‘road safety’ is in a book by Henry C. Pearson entitled "Rubber Tires And All About Them."
On average, 22 people die on the roads every day in the U.K.
How Businesses Can Celebrate Irish Road Safety Week
Local Irish businesses can actively support Irish Road Safety Week by promoting safe commuting practices among their employees. Offer workshops on defensive driving, bicycle maintenance, or pedestrian safety. Retailers can display informational posters from the R.S.A. or distribute reflective gear to customers. Transport companies should review and update their safety protocols, emphasizing vehicle maintenance and driver training. Restaurants and pubs can promote responsible drinking and designated driver programs, ensuring patrons arrive home safely.
Irish Road Safety Week FAQs
When is Irish Road Safety Week?
In 2026, Irish Road Safety Week runs from Monday, October 5, through Monday, October 12. This annual event is dedicated to raising awareness and promoting safer road practices across Ireland.
What is the Road Safety Authority (R.S.A.)?
The Road Safety Authority (R.S.A.) is an Irish governmental body established in 2006. It is responsible for promoting road safety, conducting research, developing educational programs, and enforcing road traffic legislation to minimize accidents and fatalities.
How many road fatalities occur in Ireland annually?
While numbers fluctuate, Ireland recorded 184 road fatalities in 2023, a significant increase from the previous year. Irish Road Safety Week aims to reverse these trends through sustained public awareness and targeted interventions.
What activities take place during Irish Road Safety Week?
Activities during Irish Road Safety Week 2026 include a prominent road safety lecture featuring expert speakers, distribution of driver manuals and bicycle lights, interactive games on the R.S.A.’s shuttle bus, and seminars for employers. The R.S.A. also opens entries for its annual Road Safety Awards.
How to Observe Irish Road Safety Week
Stay alert on the road
Whether you're walking or using motorized transport, it is important to remain aware of your surroundings when on the road. This minimizes the chances of an accident happening.
Educate the kids
Use this week to remind your children about road safety. Use fun videos and other visual guides to make the lessons easier to remember.
Post on social media
Share on social media how you stay safe while on the road. Remember to use the hashtag #IrishRoadSafetyWeek when posting.
5 Facts About Road Accidents That Will Make You Hit The Brakes
Millions die yearly on unsafe roads
About 1.3 million people die every year on the world's roads.
Road accidents cause death among youth
Road accidents are the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged five to 29 years worldwide.
Fatality is higher in low-income countries
The risk of dying in a road accident is three times higher in low-income countries than in high-income countries.
Women are the most common victims
Road accidents in the U.S. involved women 17 times more than men as they are pedestrians or passive passengers in the vehicle most of the time.
Seat belts can save lives
Wearing a seat belt effectively reduces death in a road accident by 61%.
Why Irish Road Safety Week is Important
It promotes safer roads
Road safety benefits all road users. Pedestrians, cyclists, bikers, and drivers have a positive experience when the roads are safe.
Traffic laws get a boost
Enforcement of traffic laws is a big part of road safety. Irish Road Safety Week supports the implementation of existing laws and the provision of a visible police presence to deter unsafe driving behavior.
Cities become more pleasant
Cities with safe roads are enjoyable to be in. You can relax knowing that you're safe from harm.
Irish Road Safety Week dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | October 6–13 | Monday–Monday |
| 2026 | October 5–12 | Monday–Monday |
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