Gardaí and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) have appealed to motorists to plan ahead and organise a safe way home this Saint Patrick’s Bank Holiday weekend.
Latest figures show that 42 people have died on the roads this year, three more than this time last year.
Research shows that one in ten people admitted driving after drinking alcohol over the past 12 months.
Some 26% of motorists said they believe that driving a short distance after having a drink is acceptable.
Nearly one in four drivers admitted they may have been over the limit when driving the morning after a night out.
To coincide with its Bank Holiday appeal, the RSA is encouraging people to speak up and express their concerns about their loved ones’ behaviour on the road.
The RSA’s ‘SAY IT’ campaign urges people to ‘SAY IT’ when they see any worrying behaviour. The campaign targets girlfriends, boyfriends, partners, sisters, teammates, classmates, sons, daughters to speak up, and will run over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Starting today, an extensive Garda Roads Policing Operation will be in place nationwide over the weekend.
An Garda Síochána Assistant Commissioner Roads Policing and Community Engagement is Paula Hilman.
“Enforcing road traffic laws is a core element of road safety, and Gardaí work all year round to detect road traffic offences which are known to increase the risk of death or serious injury on our roads,” she said.
“The reality is that this risk further increases during bank holiday weekends. We all have a personal responsibility to prevent road fatalities and serious injury road traffic collisions, and we must work together. An Garda Síochána are urging people to never, ever get behind the wheel of a car while under the influence of an intoxicant be that alcohol or drugs. Please slow down and drive at an appropriate speed, always wear your seatbelt and do not allow yourself to be distracted by a phone while driving.”
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