Although 240 people lost their lives in traffic accidents, the number was down 39 on 2008.

The Road Safety Authority pledged it would continue fighting to change driver habits, improve safety and save lives.

Chairman Gay Byrne said: "There are 39 people alive and well today because road users made better choices in 2009.

"Choices not to speed, not to drive while tired and to wear a high visibility jacket when walking. We truly have an emerging culture of road safety in Ireland.

"To those families who have lost loved ones I pledge that the Road Safety Authority will continue working to save lives so that others will never have to feel the pain and heartbreak you now cope with every day."

Of the 240 people who died last year, 40 were pedestrians, seven were cyclists, 128 were drivers, 38 were passengers and 27 were bikers.

Other figures showed: 40% of deaths were aged under 25; Sunday was the most dangerous day of the week with 51 deaths; and 49% of road deaths happened at the weekend.

Noel Brett, RSA chief, appealed for motorists to drive safely in 2010. "I want to thank all road users for their efforts in 2009 and I would appeal to everyone to build on the achievements made to make 2010 even safer," he said.

Since records began in 1959, 22,682 people have been killed on Irish roads.