The true extent of the wrong-way driving trend as incidents rise by 32%

Gardaí have said wrong-way driving on motorways has gotten “out of control”.

New figures show that 62 incidents were recorded between the start of January and the middle of August, compared with 47 over the same period in 2025, representing an increase of 32%.

The figures also show that wrong-way driving has continued to be detected at a notable rate this summer, with seven cases recorded during the first 17 days of August alone.

That compares with six across the whole of July, and six incidents in June.

The incidents recorded by TII are not all the result of intentional dangerous driving, with some involving motorists who accidentally enter the wrong carriageway.

Furthermore, the figures do not provide a complete count of every wrong-way driving incident occurring on the country's motorways.

The data is compiled by Transport Infrastructure Ireland's (TII) Motorway Operations Control Centre from its camera system and reports made by other road users.

Camera coverage is concentrated mainly on motorways around Dublin and Cork, with some regional routes having considerably less coverage, meaning incidents in those areas may not be detected.

Social media is believed to play a role in the increase of incidents, with Gardaí warning that some dangerous driving is being filmed and shared online for likes and attention.

Garda Representative Association (GRA) deputy general secretary, James Morrisroe, said the figures showed that wrong-way driving was “now out of control”.

“This is no longer a trend, it’s a clear and present threat to every road user in the country,” he said.

A similar crash occurred in England over the weekend, which resulted in seven deaths, including two police officers.

A Volkswagen Passat was travelling against the direction of traffic and collided with a police vehicle near Middlesbrough.

Morrisroe has said the GRA has been demanding “full roll-out of driver training (CPD2) and pursuit training for years, yet it seems that it must take a tragedy on this scale to finally push Garda management and Government into action”.

“It’s no longer time for soundbites and empty promises. We need actual start and completion dates for this training, plus the necessary legislative change to support our members to do the job that is so urgently required.”