Gardaí and RSA appeal to drive safely over the bank holiday weekend

An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) have issued an urgent appeal for the St Brigid’s Bank Holiday weekend, as they launch a comprehensive road safety campaign nationwide.

Garda data strongly indicates that the risk of a fatal or serious injury road traffic collision is at its highest between midday and 3pm on each of the four days of the St Brigid’s Day Bank Holiday Weekend.

It also shows that drivers under the age of 25 are twice as likely to be involved in a fatal or serious injury collision during the hours of darkness.

In the first four weeks of 2025, 15 people have been killed in road traffic collisions on Irish roads.

An extensive garda roads policing operation will take place throughout this St Brigid’s Bank Holiday Weekend and will run until 7am on Tuesday.

Every member of An Garda Síochána on duty this long weekend will be out conducting road traffic enforcement activity.

An Garda Síochána will be focused on targeting the four offences that are proven to cause fatal and serious collisions.

Those being intoxicated driving, speeding, using your mobile phone, and not wearing a seatbelt.

In particular, An Garda Síochána is stressing the importance for those aged 17-25 to take all precautions when driving.

“A reduction in the default speed limit from 80 to 60km/h on local rural roads, which can be narrow and winding, with limited visibility, and where sadly many collisions happen, is a step in the right direction in tackling the unfortunate increase in fatalities and serious injuries we have seen in recent years,” Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Seán Canney said.

“Reducing speed on these roads increases the time we have to react to an unexpected situation, such that any collisions that might occur will be less impactful.

“This is just one of the range of measures and actions the Government is taking to make roads nationwide safer, including stepping up ongoing education, awareness campaigns, enforcement and significant Government investment in infrastructure improvements to enhance road safety.

“As a nation we have made great strides in making our roads safer for all in recent decades, and we must keep this up. I have no doubt that if we work together, we can see the numbers of lives lost on our roads come down once again.”

Sam Waide, chief executive of the RSA added: “We are asking all road users to stay safe this bank holiday weekend.

“Many roads are still showing the after-effects of Storm Éowyn and we ask people to slow down, particularly on rural roads, with wet and windy conditions continuing.

“Unfortunately, killer behaviors persist on our roads, so it is more important than ever that drivers do not speed, use their mobile phones or consume alcohol or drugs. Everyone travelling in a vehicle also needs to remember to use a seatbelt.

“In January and February, we are tackling the issues of people not wearing a seatbelt and mobile phone usage through campaigns aimed at reducing these dangerous behaviors, across all user groups and age groups, including young people.”