Issue Date: 30th October 2024
Throughout the October Bank Holiday Weekend an extensive Garda Roads Policing Operation was in place between 7am on Thursday, 24th of October 2024 and 7am on Tuesday, 29th of October 2024.
There were three fatalities on our roads during this period and 15 serious collisions took place that resulted in a number of people receiving serious and life-threatening injuries.
Over this Bank Holiday period, An Garda Síochána carried out over 880 Mandatory Intoxicant Testing (MIT) checkpoints which led to over 218 arrests for driving under the influence of an intoxicant.
60 of those were detected between 7am on Monday, 28th October 2024 and 7am on Tuesday, 29th October 2024.
Throughout the weekend, over 2,150 drivers were detected for speeding offences.
Notable top speeds detected include:
• 167km/h in an 80km/h zone on the R162, Leggagh, Castletown, Co. Meath
• 159km/h in a 100km/h zone on the N24 at Carrick-On-Suir, Co. Tipperary
• 146km/h in an 80km/h zone on the R339, Glenrevagh, Oranmore, Co. Galway
512 vehicles were seized by Gardaí for a range of offences under the Road Traffic Act, 1961.
More than 40 drivers were arrested for dangerous driving.
Fixed Charge Notices for other road offences during this period included:
• Using a mobile phone – 209
• Unaccompanied learner drivers – More than 200
• No Seatbelts – Over 75
• No tax or insurance – Over 375
Enforcing road traffic laws is a core element of road safety, however, there is a personal responsibility on every road user to exercise caution to ensure their safety and the safety of others.
It is disappointing that in spite of public awareness campaigns and widespread efforts among both Gardaí and relevant partners such as the Road Safety Authority urging motorists to slow down - drivers continue to travel at dangerously excessive speeds on Irish roads.
Anyone prepared to drive at the speeds that were detected over the Bank Holiday weekend has the potential to destroy lives, including their own.
