There has been a 15% rise in the number of road deaths this year compared with 2015, according to figures published by the Road Safety Authority.

187 people lost their lives in 175 fatal crashes in 2016, compared with 162 road deaths in 155 crashes last year.

The RSA figures are based on preliminary crash investigations by An Garda Síochána.

As of 30 December, 82 drivers and 37 passengers were killed on Irish roads along with 35 pedestrians, 21 motorcyclists, and ten cyclists.

July has been the most dangerous month for road users in 2016 with 21 fatalities recorded, but May and October were also particularly dangerous with 20 deaths recorded in each month.

The monthly average for 2016 was 16 road deaths per month, with the highest number of fatalities in Dublin and Cork at 21, and 16 in Limerick.

It is estimated that around one in five drivers and passengers were not wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision.

Minister for Transport Shane Ross said he was "very saddened by such a huge loss of life on our roads in 2016", and that the Government is "determined to do all it can to reverse the increase in road casualties".

He said the new Road Traffic Act 2016, which was signed into law this week, will go "some way towards improving road safety".

The act includes measures reforms to deal with drug driving, written-off vehicles, uninsured drivers, and a new optional 20km/h speed limits in built-up areas.

Meanwhile, RS Chairperson Liz O'Donnell said she is concerned the increase in deaths is "part of a broader trend which has seen road deaths rise in three out of the last four years".

However, Ms O'Donnell said initiatives such as the appointment of a dedicated Assistant Commissioner for Roads Policing offer some grounds for optimism.

Gardaí said its policing plan for next year will focus on the "big four killer behaviours"; speeding, drink driving, non-seatbelt wearing and using a mobile phone while driving.