Provisional figures* released today, following the St Patrick’s Bank Holiday period, reveal that many did not heed the road safety message, including 51 people found not wearing a seat belt plus 53 drivers arrested on suspicion of drink driving on St Patrick’s Day itself.
Key points:
1 road fatality and 7 people seriously injured (14th-17th March)
51 people detected not wearing a seat belt (14th-17th March)
53 people arrested on St Patrick’s Day on suspicion of drink driving
Commenting on the figures, Assistant Commissioner John Twomey said:-
"Unfortunately the roads were not as safe as they should have been over the weekend. Tragically there were casualties, including the death of a 5 year old child, plus a further 7 people seriously injured. While most people heeded the safety message that was sent out in advance, many did not. It is extremely disappointing to see that 51 people choose not to wear a seatbelt and even more so, that 53 people were arrested on suspicion of drink driving on St Patrick’s Day.”
Commissioner Twomey added:-
‘We should never say or think "it won’t happen to me”. The sad reality is that it does. Crashes or collisions happen in milliseconds and we again ask that all road users listen to the numerous road safety messages that An Garda Síochána issue. They are in your interest and that of your family, friends and colleagues’.
Total 14th-17th March inclusive
Holding a Mobile Phone* 70
No Seat Belt* 51
Speeding* 2,377
Drink Driving Arrests 149
