New research by the Road Safety Authority's found 4 out of 5 road deaths this year have taken place on rural roads.
The report says 12 noon to 4pm is the riskiest time.
Brian Farrell of the RSA is urging road users, especially those travelling in rural areas, to take extreme care:
"The message we're putting out over the weekend, in conjunction with the Gardaí is for everyone to slow down. We really do need to slow down on our roads now that they are so much more busier with people travelling the length and breadth of the country and stay staycationing. The chances are you're going to encounter vulnerable road users: cyclists, pedestrians, horse riders, just lots of other traffic on the road so please slow down there and expect the unexpected."
