A bill to recognise the loss of a pregnancy under road traffic legislation has been submitted to Ireland's Dáil Éireann. The proposed legislation, the Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2026, seeks to amend the Road Traffic Act 2010 to include the loss of an unborn child in the definitions of 'serious injury' and 'death' for offences of careless or dangerous driving.
Under current Irish law, as confirmed by legal analysis, offences for causing death or serious injury by careless or dangerous driving do not apply to the loss of an unborn child. The bill, launched by Independent Senator Sharon Keogan and supported by a cross-party group of TDs, aims to close this legal gap.
The proposed change would mean a driver convicted of causing serious injury, which would include the loss of a pregnancy, could face penalties including imprisonment. The bill has been introduced as a private member's bill and will now proceed through the legislative stages in the Dáil and Seanad.
Advocates for the bill argue it provides legal recognition for a specific type of loss, while opponents have raised concerns about potential legal complexities. The government's position on the bill is not yet clear as of early April 2026.
