Gardaí have warned St Patrick's Day revellers they will be out in force with extra checkpoints over the holiday period.
Gardaí have also appealed to the families and friends of vehicle owners to bring pressure to bear on what they say are a small number of drivers who are not getting the road safety message.
Assistant Commissioner John Twomey said 49 people have been killed on Irish roads since the start of this year, 15 more than the corresponding period in 2010. The rise comes after five years of successive reductions in annual numbers of road deaths.
Gardaí said the rise came from no particular geographical area but comprised a number of "vulnerable road users" including motorcyclists, pedestrians and car passengers.
"The increase in deaths on our roads compared to this time last year is very worrying and An Garda Siochána will do all within our power to reverse this trend" he said.
Mr Twomey said gardaí would also be carrying out mandatory alcohol testing across the country. He urged all road users to keep safety to the forefront of their mind. “Hopefully no family will lose a loved one over the period of the St Patrick's Day holiday."
Road Safety Authority chief executive Noel Brett said six motorcyclists had been killed already this year in advance of the traditional St Patrick's Day start of the touring season. He appealed for bikers to drive safely and called on other motorists to be especially vigilant for them.
Figures released today show the youngest pedestrian killed this year was 20, while the eldest was 80. The youngest motorcyclist was 29, while the eldest was 55. Two thirds of all passengers killed were aged between 16 and 30.
