196 arrested for driving under influence across May Bank Holiday weekend

By Rebecca Black, PA

Almost 200 people were arrested for driving under the influence across the May Bank Holiday weekend, gardaí have said.

An extensive roads policing operation was put into place from 7am on Thursday to 7am on Tuesday.

In a statement, gardaí said there was one death on the roads in that time, as well as 10 people seriously injured in collisions.

This year has seen an upsurge in road deaths, with 71 people killed on Irish roads since January 1st – 15th more lives lost in road traffic collisions than this time last year.

Across the bank holiday weekend, gardaí carried out more than 1,090 mandatory intoxicant testing checkpoints.

Some 5,349 roadside drug and alcohol tests were conducted which led to the arrest of 196 people for driving under the influence of an intoxicant.

In addition, more than 900 drivers were detected for speeding offences.

Some of the highest speeds detected included 81km/h in a 50km/h zone on the N61 at Knockcroghery, Co Roscommon, 127km/h in a 60km/h zone on the R188 near Doocassan, Co Cavan, 136km/h in an 80km/h zone along the R731 at Rathnure, Co Wexford, and 153km/h in a 100km/h zone on the N11 in Newcastle, Co Wicklow.

Meanwhile, more than 220 people were detected using mobile phones, over 100 not wearing seatbelts and 170 fines were issued to unaccompanied learner drivers.

Gardaí also seized 613 vehicles for a range of road traffic offences under Section 41 of the Roads Traffic Act.

Chief Superintendent Jane Humphries, of the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau, said the number arrested for driving under the influence is of real concern.

“There is only so many ways that we can say this and we won’t be polite about it – never, never, ever get behind the wheel of a car while under the influence of drink or drugs. Any day, any time,” she said.

“The financial penalty, prospect of losing your licence or criminal offence and time in prison might not be enough of a deterrent to some but the potential of causing serious and/or fatal injuries to yourself as well as others should be enough to stop you.”