Issue Date: 9th February 2024
Throughout the St. Brigid’s Day Bank Holiday Weekend, an extensive Garda Roads Policing Operation was in place between 7am on Thursday, 1st of February 2024 to 7am Tuesday, 6th of February 2024.
There were two fatalities on our roads during this period and 11 serious collisions took place that resulted in 12 people receiving serious and life-threatening injuries.
Over this Bank Holiday period, An Garda Síochána carried out over 898 Mandatory Intoxicant Testing (MIT) checkpoints. Over 4,780 roadside drug and alcohol tests were conducted which led to 161 arrests for driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Over 15% of these arrests occurred between the hours of 6am-2pm.
Throughout the weekend, almost 3,000 drivers were detected for speeding offences.
Notable top speeds detected in each speed zone include:
• 99km/hr in a 50km/hr zone on Cork Street, Dublin 8
• 143km/hr in a 60km/hr zone on the R700 in Knockavilla, New Ross, Co Wexford
• 148km/hr in an 80km/hr zone on the R339 in Glenrevagh, Oranmore, Co Galway
• 153km/hr in a 100km/hr zone on the N61 in Carrownalassan, Co May
• 228km/hr in a 120km/hr zone on the M1 in Balgatheran, Drogheda, Co Louth
Fixed Charge Offences for other road offences during this period included:
• Using Mobile Phones – more than 110
• Unaccompanied learner drivers – 215
• No Seatbelts – 61
In addition:
• In excess of 100 vehicles were seized from learner permit holders driving unaccompanied
• Over 420 vehicles seized for having no tax or insurance
Chief Superintendent, Jane Humphries of the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau said, "Gardaí working nationwide over the Bank Holiday Weekend received good support from the public and we really hope that this continues as it helps us to keep road users safe.
"Enforcing road traffic laws is core element of road safety and so too is our work to raise awareness among all ages. We all have a personal responsibility to prevent road fatalities and serious injury road traffic collisions, and we must work together.”
An Garda Síochána continue to appeal to all road users to never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, to slow down and to always choose a speed that is appropriate to the driving conditions, to wear your seatbelt and never use a mobile phone while driving.
