Patrick Greene, Director of Services, Galway City Council, Mayor of the City of Galway Cllr. Helen Ogbu, Leas Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway Cllr. Michael Regan and Liam Conneally, Chief Executive, Galway County Council pictured at Áras an Chontae for the launch of the Galway City and County Road Safety Strategy 2026-2030. The new road safety drive aims to reduce deaths and serious injuries in Galway by half by the end of the decade. Photo credit: Murtography.
GALWAY CITY Council and Galway County Council, supported by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Siochana, have launched a new road safety drive aimed at cutting deaths and serious injuries in Galway by half by the end of the decade.
The Galway City and County Road Safety Strategy 2026-2030 was launched last week at Áras an Chontae, with the local authorities setting a target of reducing road deaths and serious injuries by 15% by 2027 and by 50% by 2030 under the national Vision Zero approach.
The strategy comes after 51 people were killed and 360 seriously injured on Galway roads between 2021 and 2025.
More than half of those killed or seriously injured were involved in collisions on roads with speed limits of 80km/h or higher, while young people aged between 16 and 25 accounted for more than one in five casualties.
The five-year plan sets out 50 actions focused on safer roads, reducing speed-related collisions, improving infrastructure, encouraging safer road use and strengthening enforcement.
The strategy is based on the Safe System approach, which recognises that while mistakes by road users cannot be eliminated, the road network, vehicle safety and speed management can be improved to prevent deaths and life-changing injuries.
Mayor of the City of Galway, Councillor Helen Ogbu (LAB), said, “Behind every statistic is a person, a family and a community whose lives have been changed forever. As Galway continues to grow, creating a transport network that is safe and accessible for everyone is essential. Whether we travel by car, bicycle, on foot or by public transport, we all have a role to play in preventing collisions and protecting lives. This strategy provides a clear framework for achieving that together”.
Leas Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, Councillor Michael Regan (FF), said, “The launch of this strategy marks an important commitment to making our roads safer for everyone. As a regular road user, I see first-hand the impact that poor driving behaviour can have. While infrastructure, weather and road conditions all play a role, changing driver behaviour must remain central to improving road safety. This strategy recognises that road safety is a shared responsibility, and every one of us has a part to play in protecting ourselves and others on our roads”.
Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council, said, “The Council has responsibility for almost 7,000 kilometres of roads, and our priority is clear: to make every one of those roads safer. Every collision prevented and every life saved matters. This strategy brings together our partners and communities with one shared goal, to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Galway’s roads”.
Leonard Cleary, Chief Executive of Galway City Council, said, “This strategy commits Galway City Council to delivering safer streets, better infrastructure and stronger partnerships so that walking, cycling, public transport and driving can all be undertaken more safely. Every serious collision has lasting consequences for families and communities, and we have a responsibility to reduce that risk.”
The strategy has been jointly developed by Galway County and City Councils with support from An Garda Síochána, the RSA, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, the National Transport Authority, An Taisce and community partners
Inspector Adrian Queeney, Roads Policing Unit, Galway Division, said enforcement alone would not eliminate deaths and serious injuries on the roads. “Lasting progress depends on strong partnerships, education, safer infrastructure and responsible behaviour from every road user. An Garda Síochána will continue to target the behaviours that cause the greatest harm, including speeding, impaired driving, mobile phone use and seatbelt offences, while working with our partners to make Galway’s roads safer for everyone”.
Irish and English language versions of the Strategy are available to view at www.galway.ie and www.galwaycity.ie.
