A safety campaign is kicking in today ahead of the October bank holiday weekend. Checkpoints will be mounted to detect drivers who are speeding and people who are not wearing seatbelts.

Last year saw the first increase in road deaths since 2006, resulting in 190 lives being lost on Irish roads.

153 people have died on the roads so far this year.

The Transport Minister Paschal Donohoe has urged all road users to be extra vigilant.

"I am concerned at the number of people being killed on our roads this year, in particular the number of vulnerable road users," he said.

"With clocks going back this weekend, which will result in darker evenings, I would appeal to all road users to take greater care when using the road."

"Be seen by wearing reflective material if out walking or cycling and drivers please use your dipped headlights at all times. Be aware too that the changing weather will make for challenging road conditions so it’s critical that all take extra care," he added.

An Garda Síochána say that, as a general rule, a 1% reduction in average speed will bring about a 4% reduction in fatal collisions.

According to garda figures, the highest speed detections over the limit across each garda division so far this year have ranged from 64km/h to 100 km/h.

Drivers are also being reminded to participate in the national slow down safety initiative - being held from 7am this morning to 7am tomorrow.

Across the 24 hours, speeding vehicles will be targeted on both national primary and secondary roads.

In addition to garda marked and unmarked speed detection vehicles and laser technology, GoSafe camera vehicles will be deployed to 727 enforcement zones.