Road hauliers have said a lack of hedgerow management on rural roads is leading to a significant number of road traffic incidents.
The Irish Road Haulage Association said its members are "sick and tired" of encountering dangerous tree branches and protruding hedges.
The organisation has called on local authorities to ensure roadside hedges are cut back, particularly at busy junctions.
Members say overgrown hedges are blocking sightlines, obstructing road signs and causing crashes on rural roads.
IRHA President Ger Hyland said overgrown hedges are especially dangerous for high-sided vehicles, like trucks.
"When hedges encroach onto the road, truck drivers are often forced to veer across the white line in order to avoid damage to their vehicles and wing mirrors, creating a dangerous situation for all road users," he said.
"An average medium sized haulier is losing two mirrors a week on their truck fleet. That is a cost of €1,000 a week due to mismanagement of our roadside vegetation."
The IRHA said in a statement that overgrown hedges and briers are also dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians, as they can push them out into traffic at the last minute.
Mr Hyland said section 70 of the Roads Act 1993 sets out "a clear responsibility" on landowners to maintain roadside hedgerows.
He called on local authorities to be more proactive when engaging with local landowners who border rural roads.
Hedge-cutting is prohibited from 1 March to 31 August, but there is an exemption in cases where overgrowth poses a road safety hazard.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service says this is to protect bird life during the nesting season, to help prevent forest fires and to protect vegetation and wildlife habitats during the months of growth and reproduction. There are some limited exemptions.
The Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government says hedgerows are exceptionally important for biodiversity.
It says hedgerows provide botanical diversity as well as food and shelter for animals, particularly birds.
Mr Hyland said the IRHA is aware of the importance of hedgerows and biodiversity, but road safety must take priority.
