The Road Safety Authority (RSA) say we could end up with the best year on record in relation to road deaths this year.

So far this year the number killed on our roads is down 31 on 2014.

But the authority says there is still a big problem of people not wearing seat-belts and of learner drivers being unaccompanied.

Gardaí have told the Oireachtas Transport Committee this morning they have now arrested under new powers 456 people driving after being disqualified.

Officers were given new powers at the end of June. Up until then, they could not arrest someone who had been put off the road.

The committee has heard from RSA chief executive Moya Murdock on how there has been a significant decrease in the numbers killed on our roads this year.

And Deputy Garda Commissioner John Twomey says they have been successful in tackling disqualified drivers.