The number of deaths on Donegal’s roads has halved this year compared to last year with five fatal collisions so far compared to 10 in 2016.
However, the head of the Garda Traffic Corps has appealed to the public not to contribute to a rise in this year’s number.
Garda Inspector Michael Harrison told Donegal Daily that just one night can make such a huge difference in the rise of fatalities.
With just a week Christmas Day, he urged people to slow down, not to drink and drive and to wear their seatbelts.
The Letterkenny-based senior officer revealed that this weekend there were a number of arrests in the county once again for drink driving and dangerous driving.
“Each year we relay the same message and each year there is a certain amount of people who will get behind the wheel after drinking or will drive too fast or without their seatbelts on.
“Only this weekend we have had a number of arrests for drink driving and also dangerous driving.
“We would again appeal to these people not to do so and to warn them that they will be caught eventually,” he said.
He said that although the number of fatal accidents are currently half of what they were last year, all that could change so quickly.
“One accident could change that number so quickly and that is why we can never be complacent.
“Drivers must remain alert at all times to ensure their safety and the safety of their passengers,” he added.
He also appealed to motorists not to get behind the wheel the next morning if they have had excess levels of alcohol the previous night.
“There is no safe and fast rule, what time it might take alcohol to leave my system might be different for you. It depends on the person but we must all take responsibility for ourselves,” he said.
He said the Christmas and New Year drink-drive campaign will continue into January and warned that Operation Surround will continue during the holiday period.
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