Launch of 6 week road safety campaign 24/11/08 to 4/1/09.
The Garda Annual Christmas and New Year Road Safety Campaign 2008/2009 will run for a six-week period from midnight on 24th November, 2008 to midnight on 4th January, 2009.
To date this year (13th November 2008) 250 people have been killed on our roads in 228 collisions.
Many more have suffered life changing injuries. Whilst the number of fatalities has been reducing since 2005, (where 396 people were killed on our roads), all road users must play a vital role in reducing the carnage on our roads.
Alcohol continues to be a major road safety concern in terms of fatalities and serious injuries on our roads. International research indicates that alcohol is a contributory factor in up to 40% of road collisions, in Ireland it has been found to be a factor in 36% of fatal collisions (2003 to 2005).
Continuously during the year enforcement of the Drink Driving laws are carried out throughout the State. However because of the number of Christmas parties and social events occurring over the Christmas period which can lead to an increase in the number of incidents of driving while under the influence of an intoxicant the Garda Siochana will be enhancing its enforcement of this legislation.
Enforcement is an essential part of the Garda Siochana’s objective with regard to regulating and controlling road traffic and improving road safety. It is also of crucial importance that the Garda Siochana strives to create a better “voluntary compliance” culture thereby building strong community support for enforcement.
During the period of the Christmas and New Year Road Safety Campaign there will be a particular focus on drink whilst under the influence. Members of the Garda Siochana will be carrying out Road Safety enforcement operations in every region consisting of high visibility patrols and Mandatory Alcohol Testing Checkpoints.
Fatal collisions are occurring at all times of the day and night, with some of the most serious collisions occurring between 10.00pm and 6.00am particularly at weekends.
Furthermore a disproportionate number of young male drivers are being killed on our roads. (47 young males under the age of 25 in 2006).
Similarly a disproportionate number of pedestrians are killed on our roads over the Christmas and New Year period compared to the remaining part of the year (10 December 2006 and 10 December 2007).
It is now more important than ever, during the darker evenings that pedestrians, cyclists and other such road users wear high visibility clothing and fluorescent garments which, if worn will save lives. We also urge people to assist the elderly whenever possible, when crossing roadways and indeed when using the roads in general.
Garda Press Office,
14th November 2008
