Motorists and pedestrians are being urged to be extra vigilant on the roads over the winter months.
162 people lost their lives in accidents last year, the lowest level since records began.
However 160 people have been killed in crashes so far this year, 18 more than the same time in 2012.
The new Ministerial Committee on Road Safety held a meeting at Government Buildings today involving the Gardai and Road Safety Authority.
The Transport Minister Leo Varadkar is appealing to road users to be more responsible:
