Nine people lost their lives on Irish roads last month (April), making it the safest month since records began in 1959, figures from the Road Safety Authority (RSA) have shown.

Previously, the lowest monthly recorded figure was in December 2010, when 10 people were killed on the roads.

Meanwhile, last month's figure is in stark contrast to the same period last year - in April 2010, 19 people died on Irish roads.

"While one death is one too many, it is very important that we acknowledge the efforts of all road users in making April 2011 the safest on record. Your efforts to improve road safety and to protect communities have saved many lives," commented the Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar.

He appealed to people to ‘re-double' their efforts and ‘continue this life-saving behaviour'.

Also commenting on the figures, RSA chief executive, Noel Brett, noted that April's figures are ‘all the more important when you consider that we really didn't get off to a good start this year'. Twenty-two people lost their lives on Irish roads in January of this year, compared to 15 in January 2010.

"However, following a major public appeal, road users have responded. It reflects the seismic changes that have occurred in the public's attitudes towards road safety. For the last five years road deaths have dropped year on year. Last year a total of 213 died on our roads. This year we should all aim to get road deaths below 200," he said.

Mr Brett added that he is ‘very mindful of the trauma and grief' felt by the families of the nine people who died in April and pleaded with all road users to try to ensure that they do not inflict such unnecessary suffering and pain on other families.

"Please act today to change your behaviour and that of any other person within your family or circle of friends whose road behaviour is a cause of concern. A caring intervention today beats years of recrimination and regret," he insisted.

Meanwhile, the Assistant Garda Commissioner, John Twomey, reminded road users that last May was the second worst month for road deaths in 2010, with 28 fatalities.

"Please redouble your efforts and lets work to ensure that more families are spared that dreaded knock on the door and that shattering news that one split second on our roads can bring," he said.