Bank holiday: Gardaí target surge in speeding, seatbelts, and phone use offences 

Detections for speeding, using a mobile phone while driving, or not wearing a seatbelt have all surged in the last year in Ireland. Picture: iStock

Detections for speeding, using a mobile phone while driving, or not wearing seatbelts have all surged in the last year, gardaí have said, as motorists were urged to take care on the roads this bank holiday weekend.

Between March 2025 and February 2026, compared with the previous 12-month period, there was a 36% increase in speeding detections, a 10% increase in drivers using a phone, and a 6% increase in the numbers not wearing seatbelts.

“These figures display a sustained disregard for, not only road traffic legislation, but also the lives of other road users,” An Garda Síochána said. “Every time an offence is committed, someone’s life is put at risk.

“However, it is not the sole responsibility of drivers to take care when using our road network. Vulnerable road users like motorcyclists, pedestrians, and cyclists should be visible and adhere to the rules of the road.”

In a joint appeal with the Road Safety Authority as it launched its bank holiday roads policing operation, An Garda Síochána said many will be taking to the roads as the weather has improved for the long weekend and this heightens the risk for all road users.

The gardaí’s weekend roads policing operation commenced at 7am today, Thursday, and will continue until Tuesday morning.

It said that drivers have a vital role to play and pointed to its data as showing a strong need for drivers to improve their behaviour when behind the wheel.

Drink/drug driving

This weekend, its enforcement activities will focus on drivers under the influence of drink or drugs as well as the other offences which are on the rise.

In particular, it said motorcyclists will be taking advantage of the brighter, longer days and improved road conditions as the Road Safety Authority published new data on serious injuries among motorcyclists.

Motorcycle safety

“While motorcycles make up a relatively small proportion of traffic on our roads, injuries among riders remain a serious concern,” RSA director Michael Rowland said. 

“With 1,648 motorcyclists hospitalised over a five-year period, and over a quarter sustaining clinically serious injuries, it is evident that motorcyclists continue to face significant risks.”

While 29 motorcyclists died on Irish roads in 2025, that figure stands at three so far this year. Gardaí said although it may seem a positive trajectory, they are still deaths that could have been avoided.

Half of those motorcyclists admitted to hospital in the last five years were injured in a single-vehicle collision and one in four sustained clinically serious injuries.

“Check your bike is in roadworthy condition, take additional care when turning at junctions and entering onto a roadway, slow down, and be aware of your surroundings at all times,” roads policing superintendent Stephen McCauley said.

“We all have a personal responsibility to prevent death and serious injuries on our roads.”

So far this year, 55 people have died on Irish roads.