Garda statistics for Christmas and New Year show increased compliance among road users.
4th January 2010: Provisional statistics issued by An Garda Síochána for the Christmas and New Year period indicate increased compliance among road users; however, regrettably for the community as a whole, there are still motorists who are not heeding the messages on road safety.
During An Garda Síochána’s Christmas and New Year road safety campaign, which ran from 22nd November 2010 to 3rd January 2011, a total of 1,149 drink driving incidents were recorded, which compares to 1,501 for the same period in 2009/2010.
John Twomey, Assistant Commissioner for Traffic, said:
“Over the festive season, An Garda Síochána dedicated considerable time and resources enforcing the Road traffic Act in a bid to reduce the number of fatal and serious injury collisions on our roads and to stop irresponsible, life-threatening behaviour on our roads. Unfortunately 10 people lost their lives in the month of December and we again plead with all road users to exercise caution while travelling on our roads. We are asking motorists to slow down, to make road safety a priority for 2011. Please make it your resolution to take responsibility for your actions on our roads, to improve road safety for the benefit of everyone in the community.”
Fixed penalty notices were issued to in excess of 3,000 motorists for driving in excess of the speed limit, while 965 motorists were prosecuted for driving while using a mobile phone.
These statistics show a reduction on the number of prosecutions for the same period in 2009 and while the reduction in detections compared to last year may be due, in part to the adverse weather conditions experienced during the last weeks of 2010, road users are increasingly complying with the legislation and changing their behaviour to make the roads safer.
He added:
“I commend everyone who has changed their behaviour on the roads. because of you, lives will be saved in 2011. We all have a role in reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads and I thank you for your decision to heed the Garda advice and taking responsibility for safety on our roads.”
Since 16th November 2010, the new network of Garda mobile safety cameras has been in operation on roads where there is a history of speed-related collisions in an effort to reduce the incidence of speed-related deaths and injuries.
Figures, as of 4th January 2010, are provisional, operational and subject to change.
Garda Press Office.
