Gardaí detect 2,500 speeding drivers in first three days of bank holiday weekend

A total of 88 people have been arrested to date for driving under the influence of an intoxicant in the first three days of the bank holiday weekend roads operation

More than 2,500 drivers were detected for speeding offences during the first three days of an August Bank Holiday roads policing operation. 

The findings relate to the period starting from Thursday, July 30. Operations will continue until Tuesday, August 4, in a bid to crack down on careless and dangerous driving. Notable speeds detected on Saturday, August 1, include:

• 101 km/h in a 50 km/h zone on the Dublin Road, Galway, Co. Galway.
• 96 km/h in a 60 km/h zone on the Navan Road, Dublin 15, Co. Dublin.
• 113 km/h in an 80 km/h zone on the N2 Drumcaw, Monaghan, Co. Monaghan.
• 182 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on the N4 Moher, Aughamore, Co. Leitrim.
Meanwhile, more than 270 drivers were detected holding a mobile phone or not wearing a seatbelt. There were no fatalities resulting from traffic collisions over the weekend. 

The total number of deaths reported on Irish roads so far this year amounts to 108, gardaí said.

They are conducting both statutory mandatory intoxicant testing and regular, high-visibility policing checkpoints as part of this weekend's roads policing operation. A total of 88 people have been arrested to date for driving under the influence of an intoxicant.

This year’s initiative is focusing on four key offences in an effort to ensure that all road users make it home safe. They include speeding, driving under the influence of an intoxicant, the use of a mobile phone while driving and failing to wear a seatbelt. 

Gardaí said they hope their message will resonate with motorists over the weekend. 

“Road safety needs to be a priority for everyone,” a Garda spokesperson said. “Slow down and stick to the speed limit. Never drive under the influence of drink or drugs. Wear your seatbelt and don’t get distracted by mobile devices when you are driving. You can help get another person home safe this weekend.” 

It follows calls by Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman to address gaps in data around the category of licences held by motorists involved in collisions. 

Speaking on RTÉ radio’s Today show, Mr O’Gorman said: “It was unclear if the Road Safety Authority (RSA) will be able to break down data in future collisions under the forthcoming government legislation regarding e-scooters. The decision in relation to children and e-scooters had been, correctly, based on data. 

"There you have an example of policymaking being data-driven, appropriately so, in my view. I am concerned that we have a data gap here in this area of unaccompanied drivers using work vehicles and the level of accidents that are taking place there. Having data helped to understand how significant a risk existed and how resources should be prioritised. You can't solve a problem until you have measured it.”

He criticised the current RSA system, adding: “The RSA does two jobs. It looks after the NCT, the theory test, driver's licences, but I think it shouldn't be doing that while at the same time focusing on what I think should be its core work, which is ending the carnage on our roads.”