The National Safety Council (NSC) has called on motorists to take extra care on the roads over the upcoming bank holiday weekend.
Drink driving, speeding and not wearing seatbelts remained the main causes of road fatalities, the NSC warned.
This weekend will see extra volumes of traffic because of disruption of some rail services.
"Road conjestion is expected to peak on Friday and Monday. Drivers frustrated by traffic jams can often be tempted to take risks or drive at high speeds to cathc up on time lost", said NSC Chief Executive Mr Pat Costello.
The council said drivers should plan journeys in advance to avoid traffic jams.
Last year's St Patrick's Bank Holiday was the only long weekend of 2001 without a single road fatality. So far this year 82 people have died on the State's roads.
