The Road Safety Authority has welcomed the news that the number of people who died on the country's roads so far in August is below average.
17 people died in road accidents so far this month, making it the lowest number of deaths for the month of August this decade.
However, the total number of people who have died this year is 257, which is an increase of nine on the same period in 2005.
RSA spokesperson Brian Farrell said it was too early to tell if last month's introduction of mandatory alcohol testing and legislation banning the use of mobile phones while driving, has had a sustained or long-term impact on the number of road deaths.
However, the RSA's Chief Executive, Noel Brett, said it would like to compliment the gardaí for the manner in which they set about implementing these new laws and the levels of enforcement.
He also thanked the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, for putting the legislation into effect.
Mr Brett also renewed the authority's call to those drivers who persist in being irresponsible to look at their personal behaviour and take corrective action.
