Issue Date: 28th October 2024
An Garda Síochána has had a Roads Policing Operation in place since 7am on Thursday 24th October 2024.
Sadly 3 persons have lost their lives on Irish roads already this Bank Holiday weekend.
On Friday 25th October a 43 year old male, the sole occupant of the car, was killed in a single vehicle road traffic incident on the R571 in County Cork.
Also on Friday 25th October a 52 year old male pedestrian was killed when struck by an articulated truck in Dublin.
On Saturday 26th October a 23 year old male, the sole occupant of the car, was killed in a single vehicle road traffic incident on the R294 in County Sligo.
Since 7am on Thursday provisional figures highlight that over 1200 drivers have been detected driving in excess of the posted speed limit.
Detections include: 88km/h in a 50km/h zone on the Newcastle Road, Galway. 95km/h in a 60km/h zone on the N13, Carrowreagh, Bridge End, Donegal. 167km/h in an 80km/h zone on the R162, Leggagh, Castletown, Meath 157km/h in a 100km/h zone on the R238, Tromaty, Quigleys Point, Donegal
These speeds are not accidental, these are deliberate and conscious decision by drivers to substantially break the speed limit and put their lives and the lives of their passengers and other road users in danger.
Since 7am on Thursday 24th October An Garda Síochána has arrested 158 drivers on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.
Again these are drivers who knowingly consumed an intoxicant, alcohol or dangerous controlled drugs in a recreational environment and then made the conscious decision to drive a vehicle putting themselves and other road users at serious risk.
This is unacceptable behaviour and should be called out by every responsible and law-abiding person.
As an example of activity of Irish roads this weekend, yesterday Sunday 27th October shortly after 10am the M8 in Cork a vehicle was detected driving in excess of 170km/h in a 120km/h zone. The L-driver, a male in his 20s had No Insurance and tested positive on the roadside for the presence of drugs. Driver was arrested and charged with Dangerous Driving.
Shortly after 3pm on the M7 in Kildare a car collided with the central median and overturned. The driver, male in his 30s, had No Driving Licence and tested positive on the roadside for the presence of drugs. Driver was arrested and charged with Dangerous Driving.
Shortly after 5pm on the M7 in Tipperary Gardaí responded to a 2 car collision. A driver, male in his 30s, tested positive on the roadside for the presence of alcohol, and subsequently passed an evidential breath test at Garda station. Driver was charged with Dangerous Driving.
Shortly after 8pm on the M8 in Cork Gardaí responded to a 2 car collision. A driver, male in his 30s, tested positive on the roadside for the presence of alcohol. Driver was arrested and charged with Dangerous Driving and other Road Traffic Offences.
These 4 incidents directly involved 18 persons in the vehicles, including children, thankfully no body appears to have been seriously injured.
These incidents all occurred on Motorways, while the safest of our roads, have the potential for serious injury and harm when incidents occur and also directly impact on thousands of other drivers while these incidents are being dealt with.
Day Light saving time changed on Saturday Night, resulting now in earlier darker evenings. Weather conditions are also changing, wetter and colder.
Speeding and Driving while intoxicated are the most dangerous driver behaviours on our roads.
An Garda Síochána appeal today is to all road users, many of whom who will be returning home after the bank Holiday weekend to slow down when driving on our roads. Do not just drive to the posted speed limit but drive to the road, weather and traffic conditions.
If you feel tried, stop and take a short break. It is important that every road user returns home safe to their families everyday.
