The Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána have announced a major road safety blitz in the run up to the high risk St Patrick’s Day period as the latest road collision statistics show there have been 15 more road deaths to date in 2011 compared to last year. There have been increases in the number of motorcycle, passenger, and driver deaths.
Urging road users to take extra care over the St Patrick’s period the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Leo Varadkar said: “We can never become complacent about road safety, on this weekend, or at any time during the year. I want us to build on our past success and work together to save more lives on our roads in 2011.”
Noel Brett, chief executive, RSA said: “It’s been a bad start to the year from a road safety point of view. A total of 49 people have been killed on Irish roads, an increase of 15 on the same period last year.”
Assistant Commissioner John Twomey, An Garda Síochána said: “The message from communities is clear. They do not want dangerous behaviour on our roads putting the lives of families and friends at risk. Equally, An Garda Síochána does not tolerate dangerous behaviour on our roads and over the St Patrick’s Day Bank Holiday period, we will be active on the ground enforcing the regulations with particular emphasis on speeding and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Last year over the St Patrick’s Day holiday period (March 16 to 21 ) 323 drivers were detected for drink driving and 849 were caught speeding.”
An Garda Síochána appeals to drivers to be particularly aware of these roads users over the holiday period and to slow down in areas where they are likely to encounter pedestrians and motorcyclists.
Passengers in vehicles represent another group showing a substantial increase with nine lives lost compared to five last year. An Garda Síochána is making a strong appeal to motorists to slow down and to ensure that all passengers, especially children, both in the front and rear, are wearing seatbelts.
