Garda crackdown targets reckless drivers

A MAJOR operation targeting reckless motorists is to be carried out over the next two days following two weeks of carnage on the roads that has left 15 people dead.

Operation Lifesaver will bring together the new Garda Traffic Corps, local units and air support in a crackdown on errant motorists on eight major routes across the country.

Motorists travelling from Galway to Dublin, Clare to Mayo, Wexford to Cork, Cork to Limerick and Kerry, Limerick to Tipperary, Donegal to Sligo, Sligo to Cavan, and Dublin to Dundalk will be targeted.

Superintendent Declan O’Brien, of the Garda National Traffic Bureau, which is co-ordinating the operation, said: “We are not in the business of catching people, we are in the business of saving lives.”

Supt O’Brien described the loss of six lives last weekend as very sad and tragic.

“The tragedy and grief visited on loved ones on every occasion when a death occurs is immeasurable and unending,” he said.

“The vast majority of road users are responsible people who exercise care and consideration for others. Sadly, there is a small percentage who are reckless and downright ignorant as to the right of each of us to use the public roads safely and without loss of life.”

Speed and drink driving remain the main causes of fatal collisions. The focus of the operation today and tomorrow will be on drink driving, speeding, seat belts, and dangerous driving. The operation will also pay particular attention to accident black spots along the routes.

The operation is aimed at saving lives and changing driver behaviour in the long term. In addition to the special operation covering the eight key routes, normal activities will continue in all other divisions, said Supt O’Brien. These will include covert cameras and checkpoints.

So far this year, 135 people have died on the roads, compared to 130 up to the same time last year. Sixty drivers have died, 26 passengers, 22 pedestrians, 18 motorcyclists and four pedal cyclists.

Road death toll for May

May 9 - James Hughes, aged 37, of Silverbridge, Co Armagh, died when his four-wheel drive crashed on the Armagh Road, Dundalk.

May 9 - Niamh Conneely, aged 27, from Caherslee, Tralee, Co Kerry, died after her car collided with an oncoming lorry at Castledermot, Kildare.

May 8 - Jaroslaw Debik, aged 19, of Roosky, Co Roscommon, died after the car he was travelling in crashed into a pole at Battery Road, Longford.

May 7 - Wilford Patterson, aged 60, died after being struck by a car near his home at Coolboy, Kilmacrennan, Donegal.

May 7 - Joseph Wisely, aged 40, of Rosenallis, Portlaoise, died when his motorcycle collided with a car at Ballyfin, Mountrath.

May 7 - Declan O’Sullivan, aged 28, of Riverview, Tramore, was killed when he lost control of his motorcycle and stuck a wall at Moonvoy, Tramore.

May 7 - A female Lithuanian national, in her early 30s, was fatally injured in a two-car collision at Carrickcarnan, Dromad, Co Louth.

May 4 - Imelda O’Rourke, aged 55, died after her car collided with a truck on the N4 at Clonard, Co Meath.

May 3 - Sean Clifford, aged 30, of Boher Road, Ballina, Co Tipperary, died when his four-wheel drive left the road at Carrigatoher, Tipperary.

May 2 - Dermot Sheehan, aged 33, of Camolin, Gorey, Wexford, died when his car left the road.

May 2 - Nora Daly, aged 70, was killed near Slane, Co Meath, when the car she was travelling in collided with another vehicle.