The Chairman of the Road Safety Authority, Gay Byrne, has said he has been heartened by the reduction in road deaths last month.
17 people were killed in August, the lowest figure for the month since the start of the decade.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio Morning Ireland, Mr Byrne said the introduction of random breath testing may have helped to prevent instances of drink driving.
In another development, the ban on using mobile phones while driving came into force today.
Drivers found using their phones will be liable to a fixed charge of €60 and two penalty points for each offence.
The ban does not extend to hands-free phones in vehicles.
Any driver who takes the matter to the courts and is convicted will have four penalty points on their licence and could face a maximum fine of €2,000.
The only defence for the use of a hand-held mobile phone in a vehicle will be where a driver must contact the emergency services.
