Gardaí launch road safety blitz

Dozens of garda checkpoints will be placed on roads across the country this Bank Holiday weekend in a bid to avoid a spate of crashes, it was confirmed today.

Gardaí said a massive road safety campaign, which will target drink drivers, would get underway at midnight tonight.

A garda spokeswoman said: “Over the August Bank Holiday last year five people were killed and 89 injured on our roads.”

Last weekend, six people lost their lives in a spate of crashes. Gardaí confirmed the death toll so far this year had mounted to 221.

Officers confirmed arrests for drink driving offences have increased by 16% to 872 in the first six months of this year, compared to the same period in 2004.

Gardaí said the campaign will begin at midnight and run through until midnight on Monday.

Checkpoints will be set-up and licensed premises will be monitored in each Garda Division over the August bank holiday weekend.

A garda spokeswoman said: “Remember that you are responsible not only for your own safety and that of your passengers, but also for the safety of other road users.”

Gardaí appealed to motorists to drive carefully, at an appropriate speed and to ensure all people in the vehicle wear seat belts.

People were warned to nominate a non-drinking driver, or use public transport, if going out to drink alcohol in a bar or restaurant over the weekend.