Gardaí to target speeding motorists over St Patrick's festival

GARDAÍ are targeting speeding motorists over the St Patrick's festival in an attempt to halt road carnage which has claimed 81 lives so far this year an increase of 25 deaths on 2003, according to the National Safety Council (NSC).

"We're appealing to drivers to stop speeding and that is the key message," said NSC chief executive Pat Costello. "Slowing down is just one simple way we can increase our chances of survival."

Chief Supt Denis Fitzpatrick, head of the Garda National Traffic Bureau, said a quarter of all road deaths could be prevented if drivers slowed down. For those who persisted in speeding the message was simple: "You will be caught, fined, receive penalty points, and could eventually lose your licence."