Over 3,100 drivers caught speeding in first week of December

Michael Bolton

Over 3,100 drivers were caught speeding in the first week of December, figures from a road traffic enforcement operation have shown.

The operation, which took place between December 1st and 7th, Síochána carried out over 1,750 checkpoints, both statutory Mandatory Intoxicant Testing (MIT) and regular, high-visibility policing checkpoints.

118 people were arrested during this period for driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

Over 630 vehicles were seized by gardaí for a range of offences under the Road Traffic Act, 1961.

Approximately 390 Fixed Charge Notices were issued for the offence of using a mobile phone while driving, and approximately 110 Fixed Charge Notices were issued for seat belt offences.

Some of the highest speeds recorded include a motorist driving 112 km/h in a 50 km/h in on the Phibsborough Road in Dublin 7.

In Carlow, a motorist was recorded driving 185km/h in a 100km/h zone on the N80 in Craan.

In Donabate, Co. Dublin, a driver was recorded speeding 184km/h in a 120km/h zone on the M1.

To date, 168 people have lost their lives in road traffic collisions on Irish roads.

An Garda Síochána is appealing to all those that will be taking to the roads over the Christmas period to slow down, take extra care and to give your driving your full attention.

Speaking at a joint An Garda Síochána/PSNI road safety briefing at Bridgend border crossing in Donegal this morning, Superintendent David Kelly, Donegal Division, said

"We’re asking everybody to support us in this campaign and make it a safe and happy Christmas for everybody. We’re engaging in high-profile policing and concentrating on key Lifesaver offences – driving under the influence of an intoxicant, reducing speed, wearing seatbelts and not using the mobile phone while driving.

"When people die on our roads, we see great community support at funerals; we have representatives from clubs and societies doing Guard of Honours. I’d ask the communities now not to get involved post the fact but before, by encouraging their membership to be safe on the roads. We want you to support us to help keep everyone safe.

"If you know somebody who’s getting into a car under the influence, have a word in their ear. Prevention is equally important to detection.”