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Ireland’s Government Road Safety Strategy 2021 - 2030

Ireland’s fifth Government Road Safety Strategy outlines our road safety priorities for the next decade.

The primary aim of the government’s new road safety strategy is to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on Irish roads by 50% over the next 10 years. 

Guiding the Road Safety Strategy is Vision Zero, Ireland's goal of achieving zero road deaths or serious injuries by 2050

Strategy phases and actions

The Road Safety Strategy 2021-2030 was developed through extensive engagement with key stakeholders and informed by over 2,000 submissions from the public. It will be delivered in three phases:

  1. Phase 1 Action Plan: 2021-2024
  2. Phase 2 Action Plan: 2025-2027
  3. Phase 3 Action Plan: 2028-2030

Strategy Action Plan - Phase 1

This is backed by a projected €3.8bn investment. It includes 50 high-impact actions and 136 support actions.


Safe Systems Approach

Guiding our journey towards Vision Zero is the Safe Systems approach. We have identified seven Safe System priority areas which will be the focal points of our work over the next ten years:

Safe roads and roadsides involve the planning, design and operation of roads and roadsides and provides the framework for safe road and vehicle use. 

Road Transport Infrastructure Ireland's (TII) 'Forgiving Roads' Report explores the role that the roadside plays in crash severity and identifies appropriate revisions to our road design standards.

Safe Speeds looks at road and vehicle planning and design and involves setting injury-minimising speed limits, as well as public education and awareness, and enforcement of these limits. Know more >
Ensuring your car has the right safety features can make all the difference in a collision. Manufacturers are continually developing vehicle safety technology to help prevent or reduce the effects of a collision. Know more >
Dangerous behaviours such as not wearing a seatbelt, speeding, or driving while impaired, whether through drugs or alcohol, increases our chances of being involved in a collision. Know more >

An effective post-crash response requires integration of injury care, mental health services, legal support and legislation, and data on road traffic crashes and injuries.

Read the report A Trauma System for Ireland from the HSE Trauma Steering Group for information on a trauma system for Ireland.

Safe and healthy modes of travel acknowledges that there is a substantial difference in fatal and serious injury risks across different modes of travel. It involves promoting these safer modes, such as public bus and train, and providing safer environments for healthier modes, such as walking and cycling.   Know more >
Safe Work-related Road Use is one of the key intervention areas of Ireland’s Safe System approach. It involves the careful planning and management of work-related journeys to reduce your risk of death and serious injury on our roads. Know more >

Shared Responsibility

One of the key underlying principles of the Safe Systems approach is shared responsibility. The responsibility for implementing Safe Systems across road safety policies and practices is shared among government, key stakeholders and all road users alike.

There are several critical success factors that will make it possible to reach our targets. These include: 

  • Political commitment
  • Timely development and implementation of evidence-based policy and legislation
  • Efficient data sharing and use of benchmarking across key stakeholders
  • Innovation in the design of interventions and our approach to partnership-working
  • Provision of essential funding for benefits realisation
  • Provisions of safe, segregated infrastructure to facilitate modal shift towards active travel
  • Behaviour changes due to enforcement interventions, education, and training
  • Dedicated partnership-working with good governance and accountability
  • Public and media support of our interventions and activities

Our road safety success in Ireland is a direct result of the commitment and dedication of our stakeholders, the Irish public and government.

Let's work together to make this decade Ireland's safest ever, as we begin our journey to Vision Zero.



Important documents

Ireland’s Government Road Safety Strategy 2021 -2030

Straitéis na hÉireann maidir le Sábháilteacht ar Bhóithre 2021–2030

Ireland’s Government Road Safety Strategy Phase 1 Action Plan 2021–2024

Press release of the Launch of Ireland’s Government Road Safety Strategy 2021 -2030

Seoladh Straitéis Nua Deich mBliana um Shábháilteacht ar Bhóithre an Rialtais - an chéad chéim i dtreo ‘Fís an Nialais'