The number of deaths on Irish roads last year - at 240 - was the lowest on record.
The figure was a reduction of 39 on 2008.
The Road Safety Authority pledged it would continue fighting to change driver habits, improve safety and save lives.
“There are 39 people alive and well today because road users made better choices in 2009," RSA chairman Gay Byrne said. “Choices not to speed, not to drive while tired and to wear a high visibility jacket when walking.
“We truly have an emerging culture of road safety in Ireland. To those families who have lost loved ones I pledge that the Road Safety Authority will continue working to save lives so that others will never have to feel the pain and heartbreak you now cope with every day.”
Of the 240 people who died last year, 40 were pedestrians, seven were cyclists, 128 were drivers, 38 were passengers and 27 were bikers.
Some 40 per cent of those who died were aged under 25.
Almost half of all road deaths happened at the weekend, and Sunday was the most dangerous day of the week, with 51 deaths.
Since records began in 1959, 22,682 people have been killed on Irish roads.