Concern has been expressed about the high number of road deaths that have occurred so far this year.

Up to March 26 of this year, there have been 47 fatalities on Irish roads, which is nine more than during the same period in 2019 - a 24% increase.

Nine people alone were killed over the six-day period between March 17-22.

The 47 deaths so far this year involved 20 drivers, 14 pedestrians, eight passengers, four motorcyclists and one cyclist.

The Road Safety Authority (RSA), the Gardaí and the Irish Association for Emergency Medicine (IAEM) have expressed concern about these figures and have urged road users to always act responsibly and safely.

The IAEM has said it is particularly concerned about the additional pressure road crashes will place on first responders and Emergency Department (ED) staff, who need to focus on the COVID-19 crisis.

Dr Fergal Hickey of the IAEM said he and his colleagues are "alarmed at the level of irresponsible road user behaviour" they have witnessed recently.

"As someone on the frontline of the health service, I know that hospitals are about to be put under extreme pressure responding to COVID-19 (coronavirus). If the current trends in road collisions continue, it will place extra demands on our healthcare professionals.

"Every crash diverts ambulance crews and adds to the workload of already under pressure EDs. I'm asking people to have consideration for our emergency services by having greater respect for each other on the road," he said.

RSA chairperson, Liz O'Donnell, described the figures as a "shocking start to 2020".

"The roads might be quieter than normal, but there are more vulnerable road users out and about. So, it has never been more important to practice good road safety habits. This is not a time for making unnecessary journeys, it is a time for taking extra care in everything we do.

"I understand that people need to exercise by going for a walk or cycle, but not only do we need to do it responsibly taking the Government's health advice into account, we need to do it safely. I am asking road users to make a special effort to take greater responsibility," she said.

Assistant Garda Commissioner, Dave Sheehan, of the Road Policing Unit noted that An Garda Síochána has been building up its manpower and resources to respond to the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis.

"While I can assure you that the members of our Roads Policing Units nationwide will continue to enforce our life saving road safety laws, what we really need right now is for people to understand that every collision caused by irresponsible road behaviour distracts from the national effort to respond to COVID-19-related community needs," he said.

Meanwhile, the Minister for Transport, Shane Ross, described the road death figures as "desperately sad". However, he emphasised that because of COVID-19, "we cannot afford to put any more pressure on our hospitals and healthcare professionals at this time".

"Just as it is our national duty to tackle the pandemic, it is also our national duty to stay safe, keep others safe on the roads and not add to the workload of our health care system. Don't be selfish. Don't drink or take drugs and drive. Keep within the speed limits, wear a seat belt and don't even think of using your phone while driving," he said.