Almost 1,000 drivers caught speeding during bank holiday policing operation

Jonathan McCambridge, PA

Almost 1,000 drivers have been detected speeding on the roads since the beginning of the bank holiday roads policing operation.

Since 7am on Thursday morning, 946 drivers were recorded travelling over the legal limit, with 160 of those detected in the 24 hours to 7am on Monday.

One road user was detected in the Seapoint Promenade area of Galway travelling at 105kph in a 50kph zone.

In the past 24 hours, a driver on the North Road in Drogheda, Co Louth, was detected driving at 91kph in a 60kph zone, a motorist on the South Ring Road in Co Cork was recorded doing 134kph in a 100kph zone, and a driver on the M7 in Ladytown, Naas, Co Kildare, was detected travelling at 147kph in a 120kph zone.

There have been 127 arrests of people suspected of driving under the influence of an intoxicant, including 46 between 7am on Sunday and 7am on Monday.

Two people have died in crashes since the operation began, taking to 115 the number of people who have died on the State's roads so far this year.

Inspector Peter Gilsenan said: “While we have seen generally good levels of compliance at Garda checkpoints across the country, we have still detected people driving at unacceptable speeds and partaking in extremely dangerous driving behaviour such as drug- and drink-driving.

“Whether there is a road safety operation in place or not, our message never changes – for the sake of yourselves and all road users, please slow down and drive safely.

“Do not use your phone when driving and never drive under the influence of an intoxicant.”