38,500 killed on our roads in 84 years
More than 38,500 people have lost their lives on our roads since records began 84 years ago.
This year alone, there have been 131 deaths across the island of Ireland. Today is World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims.
Chief Superintendent Mark Curran of the Garda National Traffic Bureau said complacency was a major problem.
"People will take small risks that may have tragic consequences for somebody else," he said.
"Just make sure that whatever you're doing it responsible - if you're a pedestrian, wear reflective clothing and if you're a driver make sure you're taking no risk at all that can impact on someone else."
Meanwhile, Minister for Transport Pascal Donohoe said he was determined to crack down on "drug driving", saying he wants to bring in new laws to stop people getting behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs.
The legislation was expected to be published during the summer, after the Cabinet agreed on a new bill, but the rules have yet to come into force.
Under the plans gardaí will be able to test for alcohol and drugs at roadside checkpoints, rather than for alcohol alone.
Minister Pascal Donohoe said the new law was based on scientific evidence, provided to him by Professor Denis Casey, who heads the medical bureau that looks at people involved in potential drunk- and drug-driving.
He said: "He has shown evidence that the combined use of alcohol and drugs in the system of people behind the wheel of a car has a terrible effect on their ability to drive their vehicle safely."
