An Garda Síochána have launched its Christmas safe driving appeal.
This comes as 165 people have died on Irish roads so far this year.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Assistant Commissioner for Roads Policing Catharina Gunne said: "Those numbers are not just statistics, they are loved ones that will not be with their families this Christmas."
Asst Commissioner Gunne said that this year, the road awareness campaign is running this year from 1 December to 5 January 2026.
"It means that An Garda Síochána will be out across the country enforcing road traffic legislation.
"We're appealing to all road users to never drive under the influence of an intoxicant, drink or drugs.
"On conviction, you will lose your license," she said.
"Slow down, don't speed. Always wear your seatbelt, and don't be distracted while driving. Never use a handheld device.
"And why we're appealing to road users over the festive season is that many will be out socialising with family, friends, and colleagues.
"So, we want you to plan ahead to leave the car at home and to organise your journey home using a designated driver, a taxi or public transport.
"If you're drinking the night before, don't drive the next morning," Asst Commissioner Gunne advised.
She appealed to all road users to be safe this Christmas "and not to have An Garda Síochána calling to your door to deliver heartbreaking news to your family that you have been killed or seriously injured on our roads".
She said that gardaí across the country will be enforcing the road traffic legislation.
"They'll be very visible" and "it's not just limited to roads policing units, every member of An Garda Síochána will be carrying out checkpoints on our 30-minute road safety activity initiatives across the festive period."
Speaking at the launch of the road safety campaign in Co Galway, Assistant Commissioner Gunne called for a combined effort to ensure travel around the country was as safe as possible over the coming weeks.
She also appealed to people to ensure they never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
"With the festive season, many people will be socialising with family, friends and colleagues. If you're going to drink, plan your journey, leave the car at home and organise a designated driver, a taxi or use public transport," she added.
Also speaking in Co Galway, Minister of State at the Department of Transport Seán Canney drew attention to the sadness and trauma caused by each and every fatality on our roads.
He said it was important that pedestrians, cyclists and motorists worked to make road journeys as safe as possible.
Mr Canney said the increase in the number of fatalities compared to the same period last year was "very, very disappointing" and needed to be reflected on by all those driving vehicles.
Chief Executive of the Road Safety Authority Sam Waide said shorter days and poor weather at this time of year made for difficult driving conditions, something that drivers needed to factor into their plans.
He said over a third of drivers killed in fatal collisions are found to be under the influence of drink or drugs. For this reason he said it was vital that everyone made a concerted effort to act responsibly and plan trips accordingly.
"Individuals make choices in terms of drinking, in terms of whether they overtake, we all make choices and everyone needs to take responsibility on the roads so that we are safer together," he said.
