Gardaí launch Bank Holiday drink driving crackdown
Gardaí today warned they would be out in force targeting drunk drivers, speeding and motorists using mobile phones during the August Bank Holiday weekend.
Officers will also be checking seat belts are being worn as they man alcohol and speed checkpoints.
Kevin Ludlow, Assistant Commissioner in the traffic division, made a personal appeal to all road users to put safety first, including wearing a seatbelt.
“I earnestly appeal to everyone who feels their personal safety is being put at risk by reckless drivers to exercise the necessary peer pressure to bring about a positive change in attitude and behaviour,” he said.
“Don’t let someone else take your life in their hands this Bank Holiday weekend. Let’s all play our part and work together to improve safety on our roads.”
Three people were killed on the country’s roads during the August Bank Holiday weekend last year.
To date in 2010, 116 people have lost their lives on the country’s roads – a decrease of 20 on the same period last year.
Among the 116 fatalities were eight people killed in a two-car crash in Inishowen, Donegal, a fortnight ago – the worst collision in the state’s history.
Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing but alcohol was ruled out early on.
“An Garda Síochána is seriously concerned about the 116 road fatalities so far this year,” Assistant Commissioner Ludlow said.
“Some 70 of that 116 were in the 16-35 year old age group.
“The focus this bank holiday weekend will be on the enforcement of drink-driving legislation, speeding, wearing of seatbelts by all passengers and the use of mobile phones while driving.”
By the end of June this year 261,568 vehicles were processed through mandatory alcohol checkpoints with 674 incidents of drink driving.
During the last August Bank Holiday weekend 301 people were arrested for driving under the influence with 1,761 caught speeding.
