This August Bank Holiday period, An Garda Síochána is appealing to all road users to take extra care when using the roads.
There will be an increase in traffic as many will set out to visit family and friends, travelling to different parts of the country, which will involve undertaking long road journeys. An Garda Síochána appeal to all motorists to slow down, always wear their seatbelts, be well rested and never ever drink and drive.
An Garda Síochána are asking all road users to act responsibly and make this Bank Holiday period a safe time for everyone. All persons using a vehicle should be aware of our Road Safety campaign which will focus primarily on: (1 ) Driving while Intoxicated; (2 ) Speeding; (3 ) Failure to wear Seat Belts; (4 ) Distraction Driving i.e. use of Mobile Phones, iPods, driver fatigue, etc; (5 ) Dangerous / Careless Driving and (6 ) Lighting of Vehicles.
The objective of this campaign is to reduce road traffic collisions, save lives, and reduce injuries and to remind drivers of the dangers of speeding on our roads.
Drivers should pay attention to the speed limit signs on all roads but especially on entering built up areas. Garda enforcement activity will be conducted on sections of the road network that have a propensity for speed related collisions and will target all vehicles, including commercial vehicles of all classifications.
Gardaí will be patrolling the road network throughout the Western Region over the Bank Holiday period, in both marked and unmarked vehicles, which will target driving while intoxicated, dangerous driving, distraction driving and speeding.
The operations will consist of Mandatory intoxicating testing checkpoints - both during daylight and at night – and the use of all speed enforcement technologies i.e. laser handheld devices, in-car detection systems and Go Safe vehicles in the various speed enforcement zones. Drivers are reminded that in addition to mandatory breath testing, they can be breath-tested if they commit any road traffic offence.
Drivers are urged to take all necessary steps to ensure that their vehicles are safe. Ensure that cars have tyres fitted that comply with current regulations, are up to standard and roadworthy – as tyre offences are subject to penalty points. Over the past number of years, defective tyres were the most significant contributory factor identified in almost two thirds of fatal collisions.
