Gardaí issue bank holiday safety appeal to Cork motorists 

Gardaí and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) are appealing to drivers to never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or accept lifts from anyone that they believe may be under the influence this bank holiday weekend.

The director of research at the RSA, Michael Rowland, pointed out that four people died and 12 were seriously injured in road traffic collisions over the St Patrick’s bank holiday weekend last year.

Ahead of the national holiday, drivers and all other road users are being reminded to plan ahead and organise a safe way home if socialising over the coming days.

Urged

Gardaí urged anyone who is intending to socialise and have drinks at any point over the long weekend to leave their car at home and arrange a designated driver among friends, pre-book a taxi, use public transport where possible, or fix up a lift home from someone they trust who will not be under the influence.

“At no point is it safe or acceptable to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after having an intoxicant like alcohol or drugs,” a spokesperson said.

“Walking home or cycling under the influence of alcohol or drugs can also put you and other road users at risk.

“In the 10 weeks since the turn of the year, 33 people have been killed in fatal road traffic collisions on the roads in Ireland.”

An extensive garda roads policing operation will take place throughout this St Patrick’s bank holiday weekend.

It got under way at 7am yesterday and will run until 7am on Tuesday, March 18.

Gardaí will focus on targeting four offences that are proven to cause fatal and serious collisions: Intoxicated driving, speeding, using a mobile phone, and not wearing a seatbelt.

Priority

Transport minister Darragh O’Brien said that road safety is a priority for this Government.

“We are determined to reduce the fatalities and serious injuries that have devastated so many families and communities across Ireland,” he said.

“A range of legislative measures, including the recent reduction in speed limits on rural, local roads, and the introduction of mandatory roadside testing for drugs, as well as for alcohol in any driver involved in a serious collision, will help us progress towards the achievement of Vision Zero by 2050.

“We must continue to work together to ensure the safety of all road users and all in our communities.”

Chief Superintendent Jane Humphries, of the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau, said: “On every day of 2024, gardaí arrested at least one driver every hour for driving while intoxicated.

“While drug driving is a major concern, the vast majority of the thousands of people detected and arrested for intoxicated driving during the past year were under the influence of alcohol.

“This weekend will be a big social one for lots of people and we are here to keep the public safe, but we also need everyone’s help to achieve this,” Chief Supt Humphries added.

“Under no circumstances should you get into your car and drive if you have consumed drink or drugs.

“That decision can either take your life, go on to define it, or lead to someone else losing theirs,” she said.