Road deaths rise 8% in 2025 with Cork second-worst county for fatalities

Over half of fatalities occurred on high-speed roads, with a speed limit of 80km/h and above.

Last year saw the highest number of deaths on Irish roads in almost a decade.

Figures released by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) showed there were 174 fatal collisions on public roads in 2025, which resulted in 185 deaths — an increase of 8% year-on-year.

When including incidents in car parks and non-public roads, the number of deaths rises to 190.

Of these 185 fatalities in 2025:

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

The number of cyclists killed in 2025 was the highest since 2017, while the number of motorcyclist fatalities was the highest recorded since 2007.

In contrast, fatalities among passengers decreased compared to 2024. Overall, about three quarters of those killed were male, with one quarter female.

Cork was the second-worst county for road fatalities in 2025.

The 21 deaths on roads in the county was only one behind Dublin (22), while Longford was the only county in Ireland not to record a road death last year.

Over half of fatalities occurred on high-speed roads, with a speed limit of 80km/h and above.

Similarly, over half of fatalities occurred between Friday and Sunday. December (24) and November (21) saw the highest number of fatalities.

February (11 fatalities) and June (11 fatalities) recorded the lowest number of deaths in 2025.

Almost half of fatalities occurred between 12pm and 8pm, and over a quarter occurred late at night and early into the morning (8pm-4am).

The average number of deaths per month in 2025 was 15, compared with 14 per month in 2024.

Minister of state with responsibility for road safety Seán Canney said 2025 had been "an incredibly difficult year on Irish roads".

He said: "Too many families have faced heartbreak. Too many communities have been left grieving. It is a stark reminder that road safety is not just a policy area or a set of statistics — this is about people’s lives, about loved ones, about futures changed in an instant.

RSA chief executive Sam Waide said: “It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the tragic loss of life on Ireland’s roads in 2025. We are deeply concerned by the increase in fatalities, particularly among our most vulnerable road users — cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists.

“With sustained political commitment, a whole-of-Government response, and adequate resourcing and funding, I firmly believe we can reverse this tragic increase in road deaths.” 

Assistant Garda Commissioner Catharina Gunne said the year had been "devastating."

"Each of these deaths has had a profound impact on their loved ones, families, friends, colleagues and communities.

“We once again need to adjust attitudes to driver behaviour and make driving while under the influence of any intoxicant, inappropriate speed and driving while distracted unacceptable behaviours.

“As a society we all need to call them out! By working together as communities, we can all make our roads safer in 2026.”