Almost 3,000 drivers caught speeding over bank holiday weekend

Michael Bolton

Almost 3,000 drivers were caught speeding over the bank holiday weekend, according to gardaí.

This wass part of an operation that started on Thursday at 7am and lasted until 7am Tuesday.

The highst speed was recorded was on the M50 at Templeogue, where a driver was recorded riving 188km/h in a 100km/h zone.

Other speeds included a driver going 119km/h in a 80km/h zone on R148 at Broadford, Co. Kildare.

While in Dunboyne, Co. Meath, a driver was recorded going 114km/h in a 60km/h zone.

Over 4,000 breath tests and approximately 270 oral fluid tests were carried out, leading to 167 arrests for suspected driving under the influence of an intoxicant.

During this period, there was one fatality on our roads, while 14 serious collisions resulted in 14 individuals sustaining severe and life-threatening injuries.

There was 210 fixed charge notices for drivers using their phones, with over 215 for Unaccompanied learner drivers. Over 70 drivers were given fixed charged notices for not wearing a seatbelt.

99 vehicles were seized from learner permit holders driving unaccompanied, with 380 vehicles seized for not having tax or insurance.

In a statement, gardaí said: "An Garda Síochána continue to appeal to all road users to never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, to slow down and to always choose a speed that is appropriate to the driving conditions, to wear your seatbelt and keep your eyes always on the road."