38 children killed in road accidents and 620 injured in five-year period

Gardaí have recorded 124 fatalities on the roads as of August 25, with numbers trending towards a substantial increase on the last year's figures. Stock picture

Thirty-eight children aged up to 15 were killed in road accidents from 2021 to 2025, according to figures from the Road Safety Authority (RSA), as road deaths become a further concern ahead of schools reopening.

A further 620 children were seriously injured between 2021 and 2025. 

One in eight of the child casualties were travelling to or from school at the time of the collision.

Children accounted for 5% of all road fatalities between 2021 and 2025.

The fatal road collision on the M9 in Kildare last week has led to increased fears over road safety. 

Gardaí have recorded 124 fatalities on the roads as of August 25, with numbers trending towards a substantial increase on the last year's figures.

“I am asking every driver to slow down, put away distractions, and give children the time and space they need to get to school safely,” said RSA's Michael Rowland.

“We are also asking parents to talk to their children about road safety before they return to school. Whether your child walks, cycles, takes the bus, or travels by car, take a few minutes to discuss how they can make safe choices on their journey.” 

Almost half (48%) of the child fatalities were pedestrians, while 26% were passengers and 17% were cyclists.

Roughly 45% of the children killed were under the age of 10, while the majority of child casualties took place between 12pm and 8pm.

Dublin accounted for 32% of child

casualties, with Cork accounting for 9%.

Mr Rowland said reports of aggression towards school wardens/lollipop people warranted further concerns about the culture of safety around school areas.

Figures reported by RTÉ News showed there were at least 130 incidents of abuse reported by school wardens since January 2024.

"We are also deeply concerned of recent reports of driver impatience and abuse toward school wardens,” said Mr Rowland.

“These wardens perform a vital role in protecting our school children, and any hostility directed at them is entirely unacceptable.

“Every road user needs to remember that stopping for a school warden is a strict legal requirement, not a courtesy. School wardens are by law permitted to stop traffic. When a school warden raises the stop sign you must stop and remain stopped.

"Drivers must remain stationary and patient until the warden has lowered their sign and safely returned to the footpath.”

Motorway road safety

Meanwhile, road safety minister Seán Canney is due to host a meeting on motorway road safety on Friday. 

The meeting is set to include senior officials from the RSA, gardaí, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, as well as civil servants from the Departments of Transport and Justice.

“Road safety on our motorways is a key priority for Minister [Darragh] O’Brien and for me, and will be the focus of our meeting this week. 

"Following recent tragedies, I want to bring the key road safety partners in Ireland together to discuss the issues arising and what more can be done to improve safety.

“This is a complex issue which has many causes and will not be easily solved. It is important that we continue to work together and look at every practical measure available to make our motorways as safe as possible for everyone who uses them."