One in five people killed on Irish roads this year were not wearing a seatbelt, according to the Road Safety Authority.

The RSA says speed and alcohol are still the biggest factors involved in traffic accidents.

Up to 175 people have lost their lives on our roads so far this year, 32 more than the same period in 2015.

Last weekend five people were killed and nine others injured in two separate crashes.

Moyagh Murdock, CEO of the RSA, said: “We are seeing a big increase in economic activity, there’s an increase in congestion – and you might think that would slow people down, but what we are seeing out theres is people becoming more impatient and taking unnecessary risks.

“They don’t see a clear road ahead of them and they decide to go for it.”