Driver caught speeding at 200km/h as gardaí ramp up Christmas safety operation

Ottoline Spearman

A driver has been caught going 201km/h in Kinvara, Co. Galway, as An Garda Síochána continues its Christmas road traffic enforcement operation.

Over 3,265 drivers were caught speeding last week, with eight deaths and 17 serious collisions.

Other drivers were caught driving at extreme speeds, including 101km/h in a 50km/h road in Blackrock, Co. Dublin, and 192km/h in a 100km/h zone in Letterkenny, Co Donegal.

The operation, which is now in its third week, patrolled over 1,700 checkpoints last week, conducting intoxicant testing.

147 people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Approximately 330 Fixed Charge Notices were issued for the offence of using a mobile phone while driving, and approximately 85 Fixed Charge Notices were issued for seat belt offences.

Over 600 vehicles were seized for a range of offences, and around 330 people were issued fixed charge notices for using a mobile phone while driving.

The operation began on Monday, 1st December and ends on Monday, 5th January.

An Garda Síochána said that the Christmas period is one of the busiest, with drivers running a higher risk of being involved in serious collisions.

To date, 179 people have lost their lives in road traffic collisions on Irish roads.