The Mayor of Co Galway, Cllr Michael Mullins (FG), has described the death toll on roads as a "national crisis" which requires decisive action.
He was responding yesterday to the deaths of two adults and a three-year-old girl in a two-car collision near Athenry, Co Galway, on Sunday evening.
Gardaí are investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision, which claimed the lives of John Maloney (33), a construction worker from Ballinasloe, Co Galway, Yvonne Mahoney (22), from Loughrea, and her daughter, Bobbi Ann Mahoney (3).
Cllr Mullins said he had named road safety as a key issue on the day he took office, and believed a more localised safety campaign by the local authority should run as part of the national road safety campaign.
Stressing that he did not have any details of the collision, he said a plethora of factors contributed to a situation where Irish roads were more dangerous than at any other time.
Speed was a key issue, along with alcohol after midnight and road quality.
"We all see the Garda speed checks, but far too many resources are being put into soft targets, such as speed checks in 30mph zones."
He believed more resources should be channelled into reducing the waiting list for driver tests.
Gardaí in Galway are still appealing for witnesses to the collision, which occurred side-on at a junction known as Rockmore Lodge Cross on the Athenry to Craughwell road.
The road was closed for much of yesterday as the Garda serious traffic investigation unit examined the scene.
Ms Mahoney and Mr Maloney were pronounced dead at the scene; Ms Mahoney's daughter was pronounced dead at University College Hospital, Galway.
The three people in the second car were en route to evening Mass in Athenry. All three sustained minor injuries and shock and were taken to hospital.
Witnesses are asked to contact the Garda on (091) 844016.
