According to verified data from the Department of Justice and An Garda Síochána, the number of gardaí assigned to Roads Policing Units has decreased by nearly 40% since 2009. The figures were released in response to a series of parliamentary questions.
In 2009, there were approximately 1,200 gardaí in roads policing roles. By early 2026, that number had fallen to around 720, a drop of 40%. The decline has been attributed to retirements, transfers, and a lack of dedicated recruitment for the unit.
The reduction has raised concerns among road safety advocates and opposition politicians, who argue that fewer dedicated traffic officers could lead to increased road fatalities. However, official statistics on road deaths for 2025 and early 2026 are not yet available to confirm a direct correlation.
An Garda Síochána has stated that roads policing remains a priority, but the force has faced overall recruitment and retention challenges in recent years. The government has announced plans to increase overall garda numbers, but specific targets for roads policing units have not been set.
