Two fatalities and speeds of 151km/h seen during garda road policing operation

This weekend’s roads policing operation focused on four particular offences — speeding, driving under the influence, using a mobile phone while driving, and not wearing a seatbelt. File picture

More than 4,400 drivers were found speeding during the five days of a garda road policing operation over the bank holiday weekend.

The operation, which was in effect from Thursday until Tuesday morning, saw two fatalities as a result of traffic collisions.

This brought the total number of fatalities on Irish roads up to 110 so far this year. There were 95 fatalities for the same time period in 2025.

According to gardaí, there were 13 fatalities in January this year, 12 in February, 18 in March, 12 in April, 17 in May, 16 in June and 22 in July.

Of the 110 road deaths, 19 were pedestrians, 46 were drivers, 19 were passengers, 14 were motorcyclists, eight were cyclists, and four were e-scooter/e-bike drivers/ passengers.

Last year saw 188 people lose their lives on Irish roads overall. In 2024, there were 174 road deaths.

Details from the Bank Holiday weekend showed that some 169 people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Some notable speeds detected on Monday include:

• 78km/h in a 50km/h zone on the R364, Kilkerrin, Co Galway
• 101km/h in a 60km/h zone on the N52, Kells, Co Meath
• 151km/h in an 80km/h zone on the R392, Ballinea, Co Westmeath
• 145km/h in a 100km/h zone on the N7, South Kill, Co Kildare

Meanwhile, more than 370 drivers were found using a mobile phone or not wearing a seatbelt.

This weekend’s operation focused on four particular offences — speeding, driving under the influence, using a mobile phone while driving, and not wearing a seatbelt.

“Road safety needs to be a priority for everyone. Slow down and stick to the speed limit. Never drive under the influence of drink or drugs,” a garda spokesperson said.

“Wear your seatbelt and don’t get distracted by mobile devices when you are driving. You can help get another person home safe,” they added.

The Irish Examiner revealed last week that the amount of money spent by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has increased by 132% in the last five years, as road deaths continue to surge.

The body spent €8.5m last year, when compared to €3.6m in 2020. A total of €44m was spent on advertising and public relations over a five-and-a-half-year period, with 2026’s spending reaching €5,3m by July 27. Over the five-and-a-half-year period, the RSA has spent a total of €44m on advertising and public relations.

An RSA spokesperson said its increase in spending was in line with Government policy and believed “research-led, targeted and independently evaluated” campaigns were effective.

The spokesperson added the expenditure needed to be examined “in context” with each fatal collision costing €3.34m.

The total cost of fatal and serious injury collisions is more than €1bn annually.