170 people arrested for driving under the influence in the last week
Eva Osborne
170 people have been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in the past week, gardaí have said.
2,021 checkpoints were carried out by gardaí in the last week as part of a road traffic operation for the festive period, which began on December 1st and will run until January 5th.
During the third week of the operation, between Monday, December 15th, and Sunday, December 21st, there were six fatalities and 13 serious collisions that resulted in a number of people receiving serious and life-threatening injuries.
Since the operation began at the start of the month, 5,393 drivers have been detected for speeding offences.
Notable top speeds detected include:
- 95km/h in a 50km/h on Ballymount Road Upper, Dublin 24;
- 122km/h in a 60km/h on the N15 in Oola, Co Limerick;
- 144km/h in an 80km/h zone on the R239 in Fahan, Co Donegal;
- 192km/h in a 100km/h zone on the N25 in Kilmeaden, Co Waterford;
- 137km/h in a 120km/h zone on the M1 in Dundalk, Co Louth.
Over 650 vehicles were seized by gardaí for a range of offences under the Road Traffic Act, 1961.
In addition, around 436 Fixed Charge Notices were issued for the offence of using a mobile phone while driving and around 81 were issued for seat belt offences.
In a statement, An Garda Síochána said: "The Christmas period is one of the busiest on Irish roads. It is also one of the periods during which road users are at the highest risk of being involved in a fatal or serious road traffic collision.
To date, 184 people have lost their lives in road traffic collisions on Irish roads.
"This year’s Christmas and New Year road safety appeal focuses on the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and the devastating loss of life and serious injuries it can cause.
"An Garda Síochána is appealing to all those who will be taking to the roads over the Christmas period to slow down, take extra care and to give your driving your full attention."
