Gardaí to step up battle against dangerous drivers

GARDAÍ yesterday insisted the war against dangerous driving would still be stepped up after end-of-year figures showed massive increases in policing on roads last year.

Figures obtained by the Irish Examiner show how tougher policing of Irish roads saw increased stops on drivers speeding, the non-wearing of seat belts as well as the illegal use of mobile phones.

There was no room for complacency however, warned the head of the force’s traffic corps Assistant Commissioner Eddie Rock.

During last week from Christmas Day to December 31, a total of 318 drink driving arrests were recorded, 24 less than the same week last year (342).

Asst Comm Rock said though it was too early to say if the message was finally getting through to drivers since the introduction of mandatory alcohol testing (MAT) on Irish roads.

Despite the optimistic figures, the actual first day of 2007 resulted in 97 drink-driving arrests, 12 more than the previous day.

“There’s certainly no room for complacency. There’s no indication yet really that there is a significant reduction and a significant learning curve by people in relation to drink-driving. It’s still something that we have to target and keep at,” added the senior garda.

Figures show that of those arrested for drink-driving prior to MAT being introduced, half were over twice the legal limit. This is expected to fall now with the high frequency of arrests occurring.

Gardaí also advised drivers to check online for routes identified as the most collision-prone, after a recent study on 10 years of accidents and crashes in the state. Motorists can check details on the website at tinyurl.com/yfc26g.

“Certainly, we haven’t won this battle, as indeed so many people have been killed this year alone,” the traffic corps chief told RTÉ.

Garda figures show that of those killed on roads in 2006, 124 were aged 16 to 25, 74 were pedestrians, 13 of whom were aged 76 to 80. Overall, 270 males died on Irish roads as opposed to 99 females who lost their lives.

Despite figures showing road deaths were among the lowest (369) in 2006 in 40 years, senior members of the force say any celebrations are premature.

“I wouldn’t be jumping up or down at all even though deaths, welcome though it may be, are down by 30. There’s so much more work to be done,” stressed Asst Comm Rock.

Caught out

A comparison of the number of Irish people stopped for driving offences in 2005 and 2006:

* Speeding: 143,651 (2005), 175,517 (2006).

* Non-wearing of seatbelts: 18,085 (2005), 26,107 (2006).

* Drink-driving arrests: 13,369 (2005), 17,788 (2006).

* Mobile phone use (began September 2006): 5,698.