As we head into the bank holiday weekend, we’re reminded to take extra care on our roads – especially around vulnerable road users such as pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and e-scooter riders.

With the darker evenings rolling in, it might be no surprise to hear that driving in the dark brings added risk, but the numbers really tell the story.

As of October 2025, 133 people have sadly lost their lives on Irish roads. We’ve seen an increase in vulnerable road user deaths this year, including 27 pedestrians, 27 motorcyclists, two e-scooter users and 13 cyclists. There were 521 pedestrians seriously injured in the hours of darkness between 2020 and 2024, and over a third of pedestrian serious injuries happened between October to December.

Make Sure To Be Seen

The advice to pedestrians and cyclists is to make sure to be seen. Without reflective clothing, you are only likely to be visible 30m from a vehicle. If you’re walking somewhere where there is no footpath available, always remember to keep to the right-hand side of the road facing oncoming traffic, giving you a better chance to see vehicles approaching, while helping drivers see you sooner.

For motorists, wet roads and fallen leaves can turn a regular drive into a risky one. Slippery surfaces reduce grip, making it harder to stop in time. Motorcyclists are especially at risk of skidding. Drive slowly to give you a chance to see other road users and make sure you are using dipped headlights to help other road users see you coming. Remember, visibility isn’t just about what you can see, it’s also so that others can see you.

Everyone has a role to play

As the evenings grow darker and there are people out and about this bank holiday, everyone has a part of play in keeping our roads safe. Whether you’re walking, scooting, cycling, or driving – slow down, stay alert and look out for one another.

Let's make sure everyone gets home safely this bank holiday weekend.

Find out more at rsa.ie