Drink-driving suspect among first to encounter southern area checkpoints

One of the first motorists to come across 80 special garda checkpoints mounted in Cork, Kerry and Limerick yesterday was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.

A number of senior gardaí witnessed the arrest of the 23-year-old woman moments after a checkpoint was mounted on the outskirts of Cork City at 11am.

They were there to hold a press conference on road safety issues in a region where 47 people lost their lives in traffic accidents last year.

The number of people arrested for driving under the influence in this southern area has steadily fallen from a peak of 3,490 in 2007 to 2,189 last year. To date this year, there have been 564 arrests, but as gardaí pointed out yesterday, people are still taking the chance — and getting caught.

Excessive speed continues to be a problem on Munster roads with 45,655 drivers caught last year by speed cameras and a further 6,909 pulled over by patrol cars.

There has also been an increase in the number of people getting killed on roads in Cork, which is causing concern because nationally road deaths are decreasing.

Operation Focus was mounted yesterday in known high-risk accident areas and these ‘blitzes’ will continue throughout the region on and off for the coming year, in an effort to make roads safer.

“This is the fourth in a series of such operations that will be held in each region throughout the country. The objective is to remind people that it doesn’t pay to take chances on our roads,” Chief Superintendent Aidan Reid said.

“As a community we all have a duty to ensure that no family should ever lose a loved one on our roads as a result of reckless behaviour. Furthermore, this is to build on the important message given at the recent road safety presentations at Cork University Hospital, and Cork Institute of Technology.

“This combination of enforcement and educational initiatives such as these, are the key to road safety,” the senior garda said.

Gardaí confirmed that the checkpoint on the Mallow Road yielded more than one suspected drunk driver.

A number of tachograph (vehicle recording device) offences were detected, a lot of people weren’t wearing seatbelts and didn’t have tax. A large number of motorists were also questioned about issues with driving licences and car insurance.

Noel Brett of the Road Safety Authority said enforcement by the gardaí continues to be a vital component in the battle to reduce deaths and serious injury on Irish roads.

“I welcome the initiative and I am confident that it will lead to the prosecution of people who still refuse to acknowledge the dangers associated with inappropriate speed, driving under the influence and other breaches of the Road Traffic Act that can cost lives it will also remind people that if you continue to take chances on our roads you will be caught,” Mr Brett said.