Almost 1,800 drivers found speeding over St Patrick's weekend

ALMOST 1,800 drivers were caught speeding over the St Patrick’s bank holiday weekend.

Gardaí undertook an extensive roads policing operation between 7am on March 14 and 7am on March 19.

Among those detected speeding, a driver in Cork was found travelling at 103kph in an 80kph zone on the R630 at Rostellan.

There were three fatalities on the roads over the weekend, including one in Cork city where a motorist died in a collision on the Lower Glanmire Rd.

An Garda Síochána carried out over 760 mandatory intoxicant testing checkpoints over the bank holiday weekend, with more than 9,970 roadside drug and alcohol tests conducted, leading to 175 arrests for driving under the influence of an intoxicant.

In addition, numerous fixed-charge offences were detected for other road offences including over 170 for mobile phone usage, 92 for unaccompanied drivers, and 59 for not wearing a seatbelt.

A further 75 vehicles were seized from learner permit holders for driving unaccompanied and over 385 vehicles were seized for having no tax or insurance.

Chief superintendent, Jane Humphries of the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau said that safe driving habits have to be prioritised.

“We must continue to be mindful of our actions behind the wheel and prioritise safe driving habits every day to ensure we keep all road users safe.”

“Every single one of us have a responsibility to practice good driver behaviour. We have got to work together,” she said.

An Garda Síochána continue to appeal to all road users to adhere to the rules of the road, and to never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.