Nearly 200 people killed without seatbelts on Irish roads in past decade

Data from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) shows that 194 people died while not wearing a seatbelt between 2016 and 2025. File picture

Almost 200 people have been killed in road traffic collisions while not wearing a seatbelt over the past decade, new figures show.

Data from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) shows that 194 people died while not wearing a seatbelt between 2016 and 2025.

In total, 877 drivers or passengers travelling in vehicles were killed on Irish roads over the last 10 years, of whom 437 were confirmed to have been wearing a seatbelt.

However, in the remaining 246 cases, the RSA said it was unknown whether the individuals had been wearing seatbelts.

Overall, 1,568 people — including drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and other road users — were killed on Irish roads during the same period.

In 2025, 13 people who were not wearing seatbelts were killed, compared with 31 who were wearing them. In a further 42 cases, the RSA said it did not know whether seatbelts had been worn.

According to Garda statistics, as of May 28 there have been 69 fatalities on Irish roads this year, slightly higher than the 65 deaths recorded during the same period in 2025.

Of those fatalities, 40 involved drivers or passengers in cars, while 18 were pedestrians.

Leo Lieghio, spokesperson for the Irish Road Victims Association (IRVA), said he found it “insane” that people still refuse to wear seatbelts, whether as drivers or passengers.

“All of us involved in road safety know how to put an end to the carnage, but the Government are dragging their heels, not showing us the urgency they would if someone was being murdered every two days,” Mr Lieghio said.

“That is what is happening when they are not doing their utmost to put an end to speeding, alcohol and drug driving, mobile phone use and non-seatbelt wearing.”

Mr Lieghio urged the Government to introduce AI-powered cameras capable of detecting speeding, mobile phone use, and failure to wear seatbelts.

“We need these cameras now,” Mr Lieghio said.

“Most of all we need real enforcement and a review of the penalty points system to obtain proper deterrents because proper deterrents work.”

Aontú TD Paul Lawless, who obtained the figures through a parliamentary question, said the number of deaths on Irish roads in recent years was a “cause for concern”.

“Behind each of these statistics is a grieving family, people who will never be able to forget the day their loved one's life was cut short. We could be doing better in terms of road safety in Ireland,” Mr Lawless said.

“The high percentage of road fatalities in which the victim is recorded as not wearing a seatbelt shows just how much your survival chances are slashed when you don't wear a belt.”

The Aontú TD added that while advanced safety features such as seatbelt alarms are now mandatory, many older cars on Irish roads do not have the technology.