Drivers have been asked to slow down and be aware of vulnerable roads users during the October bank holiday weekend.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána issued the appeal today (Friday, October 25) as the clocks move back this bank holiday and as latest research highlights the growing number of fatalities on Irish roads at peak times.

According to the RSA there has been a "sharp increase" in the number of fatalities during the peak morning commuting time of 6.00am to 9.00am this year.

"By mid-October, there had been 19 deaths in 2024 between 6.00am and 9.00am, compared with 11 in the same period in 2023 and five in 2022," the RSA outlined.

The authority has also highlighted the potential danger that exists for all road users when travelling during darker mornings and evenings.

By midnight October 24, 2024, there had been 143 people killed on Irish roads.

The key message from both the RSA and An Garda Siochana today to drivers is to "slow down".

Sam Waide, chief executive of the RSA, said: "Excessive and inappropriate speed is a dangerous behaviour on our roads.

Research also illustrates how pedestrians can be particularly vulnerable during darker winter evenings and have been advised to be "clearly visible" when walking and wear high visibility or bright clothing especially at night or early in the morning.

In addition to this cyclists have been urged to wear high visibility clothing and ensure they have a white light to the front and a red light to the back, so they are visible to pedestrians and drivers.

RSA analysis of pedestrian serious injuries shows that one third (32%) occurred between 4.00pm and 8.00pm which is higher than any other time of the day.

Figures contained in the 'Pedestrian Spotlight Report: Fatalities and Serious Injuries 2019-2023' show that during this period of time a total of 164 pedestrians were killed, and 1,426 sustained serious injuries on Irish roads.

According to this report, almost half (48%) of pedestrian serious injuries were aged 35 years or less, while slightly over half (55%) were male.

A third of pedestrian fatalities (32%) and a third of pedestrian serious injuries (34%) occurred between October and December.

Drivers are now being advised to drive with "dipped headlights" during the day, especially if they do not have daytime running lights.

According to chief superintendent in the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau, Jane Humphries, bank holiday weekends "are among the busiest periods on Irish roads".

"They are also one of the periods during which road users are at the highest risk of being involved in a fatal or serious road traffic collision.

"All those that will be taking to the roads this long weekend must remember that they have a personal responsibility to keep themselves and other road users safe," the chief superintendent added.

This bank holiday weekend the RSA and participating Applegreen service stations are providing free cups of coffee to motorists to "combat driver fatigue".

The offer is available from 2pm to 8pm on Friday, October 25 and from 2pm to 8pm on Monday, October 28.