Eight motorcyclists dead on Irish roads since January 1, Garda data reveals

Eight motorcyclists have died on Irish roads since January 1, 2024. 

It comes following yesterday's (May 17) fatal collision on the M50 involving a motorcycle and a lorry. 

According to statistics from An Garda Síochána, a total of 75 people have lost their lives on the roads between the start of the year and today (Saturday May 18). 

It marks a worrying rise in the number of road deaths year-on-year, with an extra 13 deaths recorded compared to the same time period in 2023. 

This year, 14 pedestrians have died on Irish roads, as well as 28 drivers and 20 passengers. 

Five cyclists have also died, with the latest fatality occurring early this morning following a collision between a bicycle and car in Dublin City Centre. 

According to the Department of Transport, the total number of motorcycles recorded on Irish roads is rising. 

Their annual bulletin of vehicle and driver statistics reveals 47,235 were on the roads in 2022, up approximately 1.2% on the previous year when 46,636 motorcycles were on the roads.  

This is in comparison to 2,255,971 private cars also recorded in 2022. 

Just 1.6% of vehicles on the roads are motorcycles, however the number of motorcycle road fatalities is approximately 11%. 

An ongoing Road Safety Authority (RSA) campaign urges motorcyclists to slow down and ‘ease off the throttle’ as bikers speeding is a factor in a third of motorcyclist fatal collisions. 

An RSA statement on the campaign reads, "We want motorcyclists to recognise their vulnerability and responsibility to themselves and their families to ride safely. Motorcyclists have less protection than a car driver if involved in a collision. So, if something goes wrong, regardless of who is at fault, the consequences can be catastrophic."