Gardaí have begun their annual Christmas road safety appeal.
The appeal follows a year in which 165 people have lost their lives on Irish roads, reports RTE.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Assistant Commissioner for Roads Policing Catharina Gunne said: “Those numbers are not just statistics, they are loved ones that will not be with their families this Christmas,” reports RTE.
Assistant Commissioner Gunne noted that this year’s road safety initiative runs from 1 December until 5 January 2026.
“It means that An Garda Síochána will be out across the country enforcing road traffic legislation,” reports RTE.
“We’re appealing to all road users to never drive under the influence of an intoxicant, drink or drugs,” reports RTE.
“On conviction, you will lose your licence,” she said, reports RTE.
“Slow down, don’t speed. Always wear your seatbelt, and don’t be distracted while driving. Never use a handheld device,” reports RTE.
“And why we’re appealing to road users over the festive season is that many will be out socialising with family, friends and colleagues,” reports RTE.
“So, we want you to plan ahead to leave the car at home and to organise your journey home using a designated driver, a taxi or public transport,” reports RTE.
“If you’re drinking the night before, don’t drive the next morning,” Assistant Commissioner Gunne advised, reports RTE.
She urged all road users to act responsibly this Christmas “and not to have An Garda Síochána calling to your door to deliver heartbreaking news to your family that you have been killed or seriously injured on our roads,” reports RTE.
She added that gardaí nationwide will be enforcing road traffic laws.
“They’ll be very visible” and “it’s not just limited to roads policing units, every member of An Garda Síochána will be carrying out checkpoints on our 30-minute road safety activity initiatives across the festive period,” reports RTE.
Speaking at the campaign launch in Co Galway, Assistant Commissioner Gunne called for a collective effort to keep travel safe over the coming weeks.
She also urged people to ensure they never drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs,
“With the festive season, many people will be socialising with family, friends and colleagues. If you’re going to drink, plan your journey, leave the car at home and organise a designated driver, a taxi or use public transport,” she added, reports RTE.
Also speaking in Co Galway, Minister of State at the Department of Transport Seán Canney highlighted the grief and trauma caused by each road fatality.
He said that pedestrians, cyclists and motorists all share responsibility for making travel as safe as possible.
Mr Canney said the rise in deaths compared to the same time last year was “very, very disappointing” and required reflection from every motorist, reports RTE.
Road Safety Authority Chief Executive Sam Waide noted that shorter daylight hours and poor winter weather create challenging driving conditions that motorists must consider.
He said more than a third of drivers killed in crashes are found to have alcohol or drugs in their system, stressing the need for people to act responsibly and plan ahead.
“Individuals make choices in terms of drinking, in terms of whether they overtake, we all make choices and everyone needs to take responsibility on the roads so that we are safer together,” he added, reports RTE.
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