Gardaí in road safety blitz

Gardaí are today carrying out a road safety blitz on speed and seat belts on 15 national routes.

The two-day operation beginning this morning will be led by the Garda Traffic Corps and supported by local divisional units.

A 2005 National Roads Authority survey found that 13% of male drivers and 8% of female motorists did not wear seat belts.

The study also discovered that 54% of adults in rear seats and 30% of primary school children were found not to be wearing belts.

“Non-wearing of seat belts is an offence which carries two penalty points on payment of a fixed charge or four penalty points on conviction in court,” a Garda spokesman said.

Since April 3, gardaí have issued 1,895 fixed charge notices in respect of seat belt offences.

Assistant Commissioner Eddie Rock of the Garda National Traffic Bureau said: “The focus of this operation is to encourage a better compliance culture and to raise awareness in all areas of road safety, particularly in respect of speed and seat belt wearing.

“There will also be an emphasis on dangerous driving, as well as other offences such as dangerous overtaking and crossing continuous white lines. Drink driving will also be targeted.”