A survey by the European Transport Safety Council shows that Ireland lies seventh from bottom in a table of EU countries in reducing road deaths since 2000.
At the beginning of the decade the EU committed itself to cutting road deaths by half by 2010.
Today's ranking by the European Transport Safety Council looks at how diligently member states are sticking to the target.
Out of 27 countries, including Norway and Switzerland, Ireland ranks seventh from bottom in cutting road deaths up to 2005.
The ETSC also notes that, after some progress three years ago, Ireland's road deaths have begun to rise.
The top performers are France, Luxembourg and Belgium. France has cut road deaths by 35%. Luxembourg and Belgium have reduced road deaths by 34% and 27% respectively.
Ireland has cut road deaths by around 7% between 2001 and 2005.
The ETSC says things like political will, ending the feeling of impunity among drivers, and an integrated national safety campaign are the best ways to reduce the carnage on the roads.
The body now wants an EU directive on dedicated daytime headlights for all vehicles.
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