Traffic Management Plans for June Bank Holiday Weekend 2012

As we head into the June Bank Holiday we know that there is still a considerable level of non-compliance of traffic laws.

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Fatalities, as a result of road traffic collisions have decreased year on year, resulting in an historic low of 186 fatalities in 2011. We have come a long way, but still 69 people have been killed so far this year. There is always room for improvement and none of us can ever be complacent about road safety.

During the first quarter of 2012, fixed charge notices were issued to 56,289 drivers for speeding, 3,429 to people for not wearing their seatbelts. 3,266 people were prosecuted for drink driving offences, and 1,018 people were prosecuted for driving dangerously on our roads. This high risk behaviour results in fatal and serious injury collisions each year. Preliminary results of investigations indicate that 9 people who have died to date this year were not wearing a seatbelt and 40 people were killed in a single vehicle collision, often late at night, with inappropriate speed also contributing to many of these collisions.

With this in mind, this June Bank Holiday period An Garda Síochána is appealing to all road users to take extra care when using the roads. There will be an increase in traffic as many will be travelling to different parts of the country. The school holidays will also be commencing for secondary school children, so we appeal to all motorists/ motorcyclists to slow down, always wear their seatbelts, wear the appropriate safety clothing at all times, be well rested and never ever drink and drive.

In particular, people need to be conscious of the new lower drink driving limits, especially those that are specified drivers, when they are at BBQ’s, festivals, sporting events and concerts etc. The EURO Championships will also be starting very soon and there will be many people watching the coverage in various locations around the country. We appeal to all motorists to make the right choice. If you intend to drink alcohol, leave your vehicle at home. Remember this also the following morning, and ensure you are alcohol free to drive.  We also appeal to pedestrians to make sure they can to be seen, and keep safe when out socialising.

Assistant Commissioner John O’Mahoney said today:-

"We are nearly at the half way point in the year and already 69 people have tragically died on our roads. It is 4 less than this period last year. People are making good use of the fine weather, so if you are socialising at a BBQ or a friend’s house and there is alcohol being served please remember alcohol impairs your driving. If you intend to drive home, don’t drink alcohol. Always do it right not only on the night, but also the morning after. We also remind people that there will be considerable Garda enforcement in place over the Bank Holiday period. We ask people to always remember not only their safety, but every other road user’s safety too. Between 2006-2011, 29 people were killed, and 63 were seriously injured on Irish roads over the June Bank Holiday period. Whatever type of road user you are, never take a risk on the road- it’s just not worth it”

Noel Brett, CEO, Road Safety Authority had this message for road users, "Bank holiday weekends are high risk periods on our roads. With good weather forecast for the weekend large numbers are expected to take to the roads. Do not become complacent - remember that summer is the most dangerous time on the road. Share the road responsibility and arrive alive.”

"Road users need to redouble their efforts to stay safe on the roads. If you are travelling to an event or travelling to another part of the country plan your journey, allow lots of time, drive at an appropriate speed for the conditions and traffic volumes, and take regular breaks. Ensure that everyone in the vehicle is wearing their safety belt and that all children are in a suitable safety seat. Never drive having consumed alcohol or drugs and never ever take a lift from a driver whom you know has consumed alcohol or drugs. I appeal to all drivers to watch for out cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians. A special plea to all motorcyclists to ensure that they wear a full set of high quality personal protection equipment including a helmet, gloves, boots, leather’s and ensure that you are visible to other road users.” concluded Mr. Brett.

June Operation Bank Holiday 2011

Friday 3rd June – Monday 6th June 2011 (4 days inclusive)

Detail                                  2011

Fatalities (people)                   1

Fatal collisions                         1

Serious injuries (people)        12

Serious injury collisions            8

MAT Checkpoints                1,229

MAT Breath tests              13,572

Intoxicated while driving        198

June Bank Holiday 2006 - 2010 (4 days Fri – Mon)

2006 – Fri 2nd June – Mon 5th June

2007 – Fri 1st June – Mon 4th June

2008 – Fri 30th May – Mon 2nd June

2009 – Fri 29th May – Mon 1st June

2010 – Fri 4th June – Mon 7th June

Year     Fatalities           Fatal CollisionsSerious InjuriesSerious Injury Collisions

2006         7                             7                  10                   9

2007         4                             4                  17                  12

2008         9                             6                  10                   3

2009         5                             5                   8                    4

2010         3                             3                   6                    3

Offences detected 1st January to 31st March 2012      

Driving while intoxicated incidents           3,266

MAT Checkpoints                                      25,484

Total breath tests at MAT checkpoints    160,566

Dangerous Driving                                      1,018

Speeding - intercept                                 10,984

Speeding - non intercept                          45,305

Speeding - total                                       56,289

Seatbelts                                            3,429

The 69 road deaths to date are broken down into the following road user category:-

•           11 Pedestrians

•           39 Drivers

•           4 Passengers

•           6 Motorcyclists

•           2 Pillion Passengers

•           5 Pedal Cyclists

•           2 "Other”

There will be many national and local events happening around the country to include concerts, festivals, shows and exhibitions. There may be significant traffic restrictions and diversions in place to ensure the smooth running of these events. For those that intend to travel to any of these, we ask that they plan their route, leave in plenty of time, check where parking is provided (if any) or preferably use public transport. Please follow all instructions by the Gardai and Organisers. This will make the event more enjoyable for all.

Assistant Commissioner O’Mahoney continued:-

"There are many local and national events happening all around the country over the next few days, e.g. the Bavaria City Racing in <_st13a_placename _w3a_st="on">Dublin<_st13a_placetype _w3a_st="on">City, Cats Laugh comedy festival in Kilkenny, Bloom in the <_st13a_placename _w3a_st="on">Phoenix<_st13a_placetype _w3a_st="on">Park, 2 <_st13a_placename _w3a_st="on">Croke<_st13a_placetype _w3a_st="on">Park fixtures, the Women’s Mini Marathon in <_st13a_city _w3a_st="on">Dublin and City Marathon in <_st13a_city _w3a_st="on"><_st13a_place _w3a_st="on">Cork.  We want people to enjoy themselves, but make the necessary arrangements to get there safely and get home safely. Traffic movement may be affected, so plan your journey using as much information as possible from each organiser’s website etc. The best way to get to these events is to use public transport as much as possible.” 

National and Local events include the following:-

Olympic Torch Run 6th June

Women’s Mini Marathon Dublin 4th June