Over the coming weekend significant extra Garda resources will be deployed with the aim of increasing compliance amongst road users and improving road safety.
Inappropriate speed, as the single greatest contributory factor to road deaths, will be a priority over this period. The same period last year saw four road fatalities and 2,545 detections for speeding, one needless death for each day of the bank holiday. Drivers are urged to drive within the speed limit and at a speed appropriate to the road environment and driving conditions.
As a general rule a one km/h decrease in average speed results in a four per cent reduction in fatal collisions. A small change in driver behaviour can therefore impact significantly in terms of road safety.
Alcohol is the second greatest contributory factor to road deaths and injuries and Garda enforcement activity will also be prioritised on drink driving this weekend. There will be additional Garda resources deployed to combat drink driving and extensive use will be made of mandatory alcohol testing checkpoints.
During the August Bank Holiday weekend last year, a total of 384 drink driving incidents were recorded, compared to 327 for the August Bank Holiday weekend 2006.
The message to drivers is never drink and drive and have a nominated non-drinking driver or use public transport, taxis/hackneys if going out for a drink.
Tiredness also contributes to road fatalities and injuries. Those going on long journeys should therefore plan their journeys in advance and drivers should stop in a safe place if they feel tired and take a short nap or break away from the road.
