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

Road deaths and serious injuries in Ireland are increasing, with warnings that the situation has become a national emergency requiring a public-health level response. Garda road policing figures show 59 fatalities up to May 15, compared with 60 in the same period in 2025. In the previous year, 190 people died on Irish roads, marking one of the deadliest years in more than a decade. Ongoing fatalities and serious injuries are described as evidence that current efforts are failing to protect lives. Calls are made for stronger intervention, enforcement, and implementation of existing legislation, alongside coordinated multi-agency action, public awareness, and immediate resource allocation. The impact of collisions is described as lasting far beyond the initial loss of life, affecting families, communities, and public services.

"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?"

"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."

"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."

Read at Irish Independent