European Commission figures to be published today will show that Ireland has the highest percentage of young people killed on the roads in the EU.
The figures show 38 per cent of all people killed on the roads in Ireland are aged under 25, and that 30 per cent are in the 18 to 25 age group.
The report is published to coincide with the EU's first European Road Safety Day today.
The report also found that 75 per cent of those who died in the EU on the roads in 2005 were males.
In Ireland, 1997 was the highest year for road fatalities when 473 people died on our roads. Over the last ten years, the number of road deaths has steadily declined with the number for 2006 at around 368. However, this figure is still above the European average.
A second report on Irish statistics identifies the main road safety problems in Ireland as speeding and drink-driving.
It also says says that 84 per cent of drivers and front seat passengers wear seat belts, although only 46 per cent of rear passengers wear a seat belt.
Fine Gael Transport Spokeswoman Olivia Mitchell said in a statement: "This reflects the fact that Ireland has one of the laxest driving regimes in Europe.
"New drivers are not required to take lessons or pass a test. Even if they want to take a test they have to wait for up to ten months.
"Speed limits outside cities and towns are still wholly inappropriate. The promised widespread introduction of speed cameras never materialised, and the Traffic Corps is virtually invisible," she added.