Gardaí and speed check vans are out in force on the roads today for a ‘slow down’ day to promote road safety this Christmas.
Extra speed checks are being conducted across Donegal and nationwide for a 24 hour period from 7am this morning until 7am Saturday.
Today is one of the busiest days on Irish roads and road users are being urged to be more considerate of other road users.
An Garda Síochána continues to appeal to motorists to drive safely on our roads this Christmas and New Year, never drive under the influence of an intoxicant, reduce speed, always wear a seatbelt and never use a mobile phone while driving.
Already this morning, GoSafe checked the speed of 5,228 vehicles and detected 40 vehicles travelling in excess of the applicable speed limit.
To date, 181 people have lost their lives in road traffic collisions on Irish roads. This is 29 more deaths than at this time last year.
In the first three weeks of An Garda Síochána’s Christmas and New Year Road Safety Enforcement Operation, 500 drivers have been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of an intoxicant. Over 130 of these drivers were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs. Fixed charge notices issued by An Garda Síochána between December 1st and December 21st, 2023 for key Lifesaver Offences include; in excess of 9,500 for driving in excess of the speed limits, 860 for use of mobile phones and 200 for non-compliance with seatbelts.
