Issue Date: 5th May 2023
Throughout the May Bank Holiday weekend, a Garda operation was in place between 7am on Thursday, 27th April 2023 and 7am on Tuesday, 2nd May 2023.
There was one fatal collision on our roads during this period and 10 serious collisions took place that resulted in 11 serious and life-threatening injuries. To date this year, *59 persons have died on our roads in 2023, that is the same number as this time last year.
Over the May Bank Holiday period, An Garda Síochána carried out 774 Mandatory Intoxicant Testing (MIT) checkpoints. Some 3,179 roadside drug and alcohol tests were conducted which led to 188 arrests for driving under the influence of an intoxicant.
Throughout the weekend, Garda Roads Policing Units were out detecting those speeding and issued over 900 on the spot Fixed Charge Penalty Notices for speeding offences. Of the 504,981 vehicles checked for speeding by Go-Safe nationwide, 2,159 drivers were detected and fined.
Fixed Charge Offences for other road offences during this period included:
• Mobile Phones – 177
• Unaccompanied learner drivers – 103
• Seatbelts – 81
In addition, 354 vehicles were detained under Section 41 of the Road Traffic Act for offences such as Unaccompanied Learner Driver (75), no Insurance (131) and no Tax (148).
Chief Superintendent Jane Humphries, Garda National Roads Policing Bureau said, "Gardaí work closely with other agencies and stakeholders to promote road safety awareness and enforce the law.
"This includes regular check points to catch those who are under the influence of drink or drugs, or who decide to travel at inappropriate speeds for the conditions. By working together we can make our roads safer for all and ensure that no family has to suffer the loss of a loved one."
An Garda Síochána continues to appeal to all road users to never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, to slow down and to always choose a speed that is appropriate to the driving conditions.
