Nearly 5,900 accidents and incidents took place on the country’s busiest road last year – a rate of around 16 every day.
A log from Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) details thousands of breakdowns on the M50, wrong-way drivers and vehicles catching fire on the busy motorway.
The database showed there were 154 incidents where a vehicle was abandoned on the road and 94 cases where animals were reported on the carriageway.
There were 3,062 vehicle breakdowns while 765 collisions, the equivalent of at least two per day, took place on the M50.
TII reported 213 times when a cyclist was on the motorway and 150 times where a pedestrian was spotted walking near or on the road.
There were 733 cases of debris, which could have caused an accident or damage to a car, and 33 reports of animals that had been killed.
TII logged 401 times when a motorist had a flat tyre or one of their tyres blew out while they were driving.
There were also four cases of fires, thirteen instances of flooding, and 15 medical emergencies, including heart attacks.
The database of incidents showed 44 times where a driver ran out of fuel and had to get a vehicle rescue on the motorway.
Other incidents logged included 23 cars or trucks on fire and 13 incidents where a vehicle was travelling in the wrong direction.
Also recorded among the 5,884 total incidents were one protest, 29 spillages that could have caused a hazard or skidding, and 32 times where queues built up on entrance slip roads.
Of the incidents, just twelve were categorised as “major” while 2,120 were classed as “high priority” by TII.
There were a further 850 moderate impact incidents and just over 2,900 that were considered “low priority”.
The number of incidents per month was relatively steady, ranging from a high of 526 in November to a low of 449 in February.
Asked about the records, a spokesman for TII said they worked with partners 24/7 every day of the year to maintain a safe and efficient M50.
He said: “Collectively, we deal with a vast array of incidents and coordinate with local authorities, the garda, and emergency services when a serious accident occurs.
“They are providing a crucial service along the country’s busiest motorway.”
He added that if motorists were asked to move to another lane or reduce speed on the M50, it was for a good reason and for the safety of all travellers on the route.
