New road safety clampdown

Gardaí are to launch a major new road safety initiative targeting seat belt wearing, excessive speed, drink driving, young drivers, HGV and pedestrian behaviour next month.

Operation Safeguard will run between June 10 and 15 with different emphasis during different times of the day and night.

High visibility patrolling and checkpoints will complement covert checks and behaviour monitoring patrols. National primary and secondary routes will be targeted.

A spokesman said the operation will be co-ordinated by Assistant Commissioner Eddie Rock, Director of Traffic, and will involve all Garda Divisional Traffic Corps.

Commissioner Noel Conroy has temporarily allocated 275 gardaí who have recently completed training at the Garda College to the operation.

“In addition to providing resources to the operation, it is expected that involvement at an early stage in their career will help focus these young gardaí towards road safety,” the spokesman said.

“In conjunction with this allocation, an extra 60 gardaí will be assigned to Garda Divisional Traffic Corps throughout the country, bringing the total full time dedicated traffic personnel to 685.”

The spokesman said every road user throughout the country is responsible for road safety.

“This latest initiative, Operation Safeguard, has been discussed with the Road Safety Authority, through their Chairman, Gay Byrne and Chief Executive Officer, Noel Brett,” he said.

“An Garda Siochana and the Road Safety Authority will continue to collaborate in initiatives going forward, in an effort to alter driver behaviour and reduce the tragedy and waste of lives on Irish roads.”