A garda spokesperson has called on the public to challenge unsafe behaviour on the roads as An Garda Síochána’s Christmas and New Year road safety campaign continues until 5 January.
Garda Superintendent Liam Geraghty said 149 drivers were arrested in the week from Monday, 22 December for driving under the influence of an intoxicant, either alcohol or drugs, reports RTE.
He said that so far in December there have been 600 arrests, adding that 43% of those tested positive for drugs, mainly cocaine and cannabis.
Supt Geraghty said all risky and dangerous driving behaviour should be challenged, adding that people who see others taking drugs or alcohol before driving should encourage them to moderate their actions, reports RTE.
“You might actually save their lives”, he said, reports RTE
“Everybody has a role to play; if you know that somebody is putting themselves at risk, why wouldn’t you challenge them? Why wouldn’t you ask them to moderate their behaviour rather than standing beside their funeral and grieving them?”, reports RTE
During the fourth week of the seasonal road safety campaign, three people lost their lives on Irish roads, while eight serious collisions resulted in a number of people suffering serious and life-threatening injuries.
So far this year, 189 people have died on Irish roads, reports RTE.
An Garda Síochána carried out more than 2,100 checkpoints in the week up to Sunday, 28 December, uncovering a range of road safety offences.
Among the highest speeds detected were a driver in Limerick travelling at 207km/h in a 100km/h zone, another driving at 167km/h in an 80km/h zone in Laois, and a driver recorded at 118km/h in a 50km/h zone on Dublin’s North Circular Road, reports RTE.
More than 435 vehicles were seized for various offences under the Road Traffic Act, while 150 Fixed Charge Notices were issued for driving while using a mobile phone.
Gardaí also issued 45 Fixed Charge Notices for seat belt offences, reports RTE.
Gardaí are urging all drivers to take personal responsibility on the roads, slow down, exercise extra care and give their full attention to driving.
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