The Taoiseach has called on "the minority" of people who continue to disregard the rules of the road to "stop and think" over Christmas to prevent further road deaths.
In a Christmas road safety message, the Taoiseach thanked those who have changed their behaviour as drivers or pedestrians and paid tribute to the emergency services who save lives every day.
Bertie Ahern
"Unfortunately too many of our community are killed needlessly and many more are seriously and permanently injured on our roads," Mr Ahern said.
"To the minority who continue to disregard the rules of the road, I call on you today to stop and think for just a few seconds. You can prevent death, injury, trauma and hardship on our roads. Please, take responsibility for your behaviour, and treat other road users the same way you would want them to treat you."
Mr Ahern said a lot of good work has been done and that there is a lot more underway to make the roads safer.
"Government is playing its part. New legislation on issues such as mandatory alcohol testing and penalty points, extra enforcement resources, establishment of the Road Safety Authority and high-profile advertising are just some of the important measures taken in 2006," he said.
"If everyone plays their part, we can as a nation make road safety a real success story in 2007."
Transport Minister, Martin Cullen called on everybody to help make the holiday period safer on Irish roads.
"This responsibility rests not only just with drivers. Those of us who try to encourage the driver to have 'just one drink', are behaving in an equally reckless and immature manner as the driver who insists on drinking and driving," he said.
"As we celebrate this festive season, let us respect each other and we will all arrive to our destinations alive."
"While it is important not to base trends on the first four months statistics since mandatory breath testing was introduced, the reduction in the number of road deaths is a positive development. If it continues and the level of enforcement is maintained, we will see improved driver behaviour on our roads and fewer people will be killed. The onus is on all of us however - Government, gardaí, drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, families and friends, to make a concerted effort to help make our roads safer."
He commended the Road Safety Authority and the gardaí for the "valuable work they are doing to help save lives on Irish roads".
Garda statement
The Garda will operate additional speed checks and random breath testing checkpoints over Christmas.
A statement from the Garda press office said the Christmas safety campaign would target enforcement in relation to drink-driving, speeding and the non-wearing of seatbelts.
"An Garda Síochána continues to be concerned about the level of road deaths and injuries countrywide, and the factor played by alcohol in many of these deaths and injuries," the statement said.
"Garda enforcement activities in this area of road safety continues to be prioritised and is resulting in the arrest of approximately 375 suspected drink drivers on a weekly basis."
The Garda urges drivers never to drink and drive and to have a nominated non-drinking driver or to use taxis and hackneys if going out for a drink.
"Tiredness contributes to road fatalities and injuries and so drivers should plan all journeys and stop in a safe place if they feel at all tired and take a short nap or break away from the road," the statement said. "A considerable number of pedestrians are killed and injured at this time of year and so all motorists are urged to be more conscious of pedestrians on the road.
"In addition pedestrians should wear bright clothing and reflective bands, walk facing on-coming traffic, and use footpaths, pedestrian and designated crossings, where available, and take whatever steps they can to ensure their safety on the roads."
Some 360 people have died so far this year on the State's roads, according to Garda statistics. They comprise 168 drivers, 70 pedestrians, 81 passengers, 10 cyclists, 29 motorcyclists and two pillion passengers.