Tánaiste Simon Harris discussed recent lawlessness on roads while road safety and education were heavily featured at the Ploughing Championship this year.

Road safety concerns were a key component at the National Ploughing Championship in Screggan, County Offaly today, following recent fatal car accidents.

A seatbelt sheriff and car crash simulator were present at this year's event to educate and encourage young people on driving safely.

“Deaths involving a male driver, aged between 16 and 25, make up a quarter of all road deaths,” reported Henry McKean, who attended the Ploughing to ask punters about their driving habits. 

Attendees said that after experiencing the car crash simulator and speaking to the seatbelt sheriff, they understand the gravity of being in a car accident. 

“It’s very scary to see what could actually happen when you’re upside down,” said one participant. 

Newstalk reporter Jessica Woodlock spoke to Tánaiste Simon Harris about road safety and government plans to deal with speeding and joyriding, in the wake of recent crashes. 

“One of the most concerning things we saw over the summer was the basic lack of respect some young people have for their own life, let alone the lives of others,” Mr Harris said.

“Crime has to have a significant consequence, and that’s why this government will deliver the largest increase in prison capacity in the history of the state,” he said.

The Tánaiste said there have been good discussions across the government on road safety and lawless driving. He believes a new youth justice strategy is to be developed by Minister of State Catherina Ardagh in the future.

The Irish Independent revealed that Garda road policing numbers have increased by just five officers in a year, despite a near 11% rise in road deaths.