ALERT: Gardaí mount 2,000 checkpoints after six die on Irish roads ahead of Christmas
Six people have tragically lost their lives and 13 people have been left seriously injured on Irish roads in the last week as gardai crackdown on road safety during the busy Christmas period
Six people have tragically died on Irish roads in the last week, during An Garda Síochána's dedicated road traffic enforcement operation.
During the third week of the operation, between Monday 15th December and Sunday 21st December, there were six fatalities on Irish roads and 13 serious collisions that resulted in a number of people receiving serious and life-threatening injuries.
Over the past week, An Garda Síochána carried out over 2,021 checkpoints, both statutory Mandatory Intoxicant Testing (MIT) and regular, high-visibility policing checkpoints.
170 people were arrested during this period for driving under the influence of an intoxicant (alcohol and drugs).
Over 5,393 drivers were detected for speeding offences by An Garda Síochána, along with Static Safety Cameras, and Mobile Safety Camera Vans, by our Road Safety Partners, GoSafe.
Notable top speeds detected by gardai across the country during this time are as follows:
• 95km/h in a 50km/h on Ballymount Road Upper, Dublin 24
• 122km/h in a 60km/h on the N15 in Oola, Co. Limerick
• 144km/h in an 80km/h zone on the R239 in Fahan, Co. Donegal
• 192km/h in a 100km/h zone on the N25 in Kilmeaden, Co. Waterford
• 137km/h in a 120km/h zone on the M1 in Dundalk, Co. Louth
Over 650 vehicles were seized by Gardaí for a range of offences under the Road Traffic Act, 1961.
In addition, approximately 436 Fixed Charge Notices were issued for the offence of using a mobile phone while driving and approximately 81 Fixed Charge Notices were issued for seat belt offences.
The Christmas period is one of the busiest on Irish roads. It is also one of the periods during which road users are at the highest risk of being involved in a fatal or serious road traffic collision.
To date, 184 people have lost their lives in road traffic collisions on Irish roads.
This year’s Christmas and New Year road safety appeal focuses on the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and the devastating loss of life and serious injuries it can cause.
An Garda Síochána is appealing to all those who will be taking to the roads over the Christmas period to slow down, take extra care and to give your driving your full attention.