Drivers have been urged to slow down and use caution as provisional figures from the PSNI show that 68 people died on Northern Ireland's roads in 2024.
The average death rate is one per week and the figure of 68 is three less than the 71 people who died on the roads in 2023.
PSNI Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson said: "Sadly, we have witnessed another year with too many fatal road traffic collisions.
"It is always important to remember that these numbers are more than a statistic, they are individuals who left home and never returned and people whose families and friends have been involved in traumatic, life-changing experiences.
"As well as deaths, many people have suffered serious and life-changing injuries, demonstrating that as a society, road safety is something that needs to be taken more seriously."
Mr Donaldson said reducing deaths and serious injuries on roads is a "priority" for the PSNI.
"We appeal to all road users to learn about the steps they can take to keep themselves and others safe on our roads," he said.
"As we welcome 2025, let us make it a year where we all take responsibility for making our roads safer," he added.
He advised road users to "remember the 'Fatal Five' - don't drink or take drugs and drive; slow down; don't be careless; always wear your seat belt and never use your mobile phone whilst driving".
Northern Ireland's Department for Infrastructure's most recent road safety campaign asks the public to "roadwise up".
Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd offered sympathies to all who have lost loved ones and to those who endure life-changing injuries through road collisions.
"In the north, the death rate on our roads is, on average, one per week. That means every single week, at least one person - a mum, a dad, a son, a daughter, a friend - is not coming home to their family and their loved ones," he said.
"Lives are shattered and will never be the same again," he added.
Mr O'Dowd said: "We all know what we should do, yet too many people take risks."
He said that road traffic collisions are not inevitable, as evidence shows that most road deaths are avoidable.
"More than nine out of 10 road deaths are caused by human error, poor decision making," he said.
Mr O'Dowd said most deaths and serious injuries are caused through "careless or inattentive driving, inappropriate speed for the road or the conditions, and drink and drug driving".
"As 2025 begins, I appeal to everyone to think about your behaviour when using the roads. Make a potentially lifesaving choice to be more mindful of others and proceed with care, follow the rules of the road - they are there to protect us and help everyone get home safe," he said.
"As we start a new year, the harsh truth is that we all need to wise up when we are using our roads because if we don't the number of deaths will continue to rise."
Meanwhile provisional figures from An Garda Síochána show that 178 people died on Irish roads in 2024.
Drivers account for 71 of the fatalties last year while 39 pedestrians also lost their lives, according to the gardaí.
Of last year's road deaths, gardaí said 35 were passengers, 17 were motorcyclists, 11 were cyclists, four were e-scooter users and one was a pillion passenger.
However, the number of deaths on Irish roads has decreased by five compared to 2023 when there was 184 deaths.
