Drivers warned over seasonal crackdown

KILLER behaviour on Irish roads will be tackled over the Christmas period, road chiefs warned yesterday.

Motorists who speed, drive while under the influence of drink or drugs or use a defective car will be targeted by gardaí over the coming weeks.

President Mary McAleese launched the festive campaign for the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána at the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire where survivors of car crashes are trying to rebuild their lives.

President McAleese warned motorists not to make stupid, life threatening and avoidable bad choices.

“No one has to drive while under the influence of drink or drugs, it is a personal choice, selfish, dangerous, inexcusable and downright bad,” said the President.

“No one has to drive without a seat belt, or with bald or under pressured tyres. No one has to speed, no one has to answer the mobile phone while driving, or check their lipstick or root around for a new CD or light up a cigarette.

“Driving requires total concentration, free from distractions we create, for we need to be ready at all times for the distraction and risks that others are getting ready to inflict on us whether we like it or not.”

More than 530 people were killed in road crashes during the six-week Christmas and New Year period between 1997 and 2007

The families and forgotten victims of road trauma – the 1,557 people who suffered serious injuries during the decade – were also remembered at the launch.

Doctors revealed mostpatients with injuries from road traffic collisions were young males with brain damage, spinal cord injuries and limb amputations.

Dr Áine Carroll, of the National Rehabilitation Medicine, said these injuries have a devastating impact on the person and their extended family.

“Those with severe injuries will remain dependent on others for all aspects of their day to day activities for the rest of their lives,” she said.

Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy warned: “Our enforcement activity is directed to where it can have maximum impact and the greatest benefit in terms of the reduction of death and serious injury on our roads.

“Our message is simple, if you break the law, there is every likelihood you will be caught.”