Motorists are being urged to take extreme care on the roads this St Brigid’s Bank Holiday weekend, as the dangers of the recent storms have not yet passed.
“This is not a normal St Brigid’s Bank Holiday,” said An Garda Síochána and the RSA.
Road users are reminded to slow down and expect the unexpected this weekend.
“Not all fallen trees may yet have been removed from the network and in many cases broken branches and other debris may still be impacting and/ or protruding onto road carriageways,” said the appeal.
“Trees/poles which were weakened during Storm Éowyn and Storm Herminia may yet fall and further impact on roads in the worst affected areas.”
An extensive Garda Roads Policing Operation is underway until 7am on Tuesday, 4th February 2025.
Every member of An Garda Síochána on-duty this long weekend will be out conducting road traffic enforcement activity.
Gardaí will be focussed on targeting the four offences that are proven to cause fatal and serious collisions: intoxicated driving, speeding, using your mobile phone and not wearing a seatbelt.
“Data strongly indicates that the risk of a fatal or serious injury road traffic collision is its highest between midday and 3pm on each of the four days of the St Brigid’s Day Bank Holiday Weekend,” said a joint appeal from gardaí and the RSA.
“It further shows that a driver is most likely to be involved in a fatal or serious injury road traffic collision during these hours on Friday, 31st January 2025.”
In the first four weeks of 2025, 12 people have been killed in road traffic collisions on Irish roads – 3 less lives taken than during January 2024.
In particular, An Garda Síochána is emphasising the need for those aged 17-25 to take all precautions when driving.
Data collated by the Garda Analysis Service shows that drivers under the age of 25 are twice as likely to be involved in a fatal or serious injury collision during the hours of darkness.
Of the 175 people that lost their lives in road traffic collisions last year, 60 were aged between 16 and 25.
“We need young drivers to support our efforts to keep them and all other road users safe,” said gardaí
2Our message is to not let your decisions when driving define your future or its prospects.”
An Garda Síochána Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman, responsible for Roads Policing and Community Engagement said, “This winter is proving extremely difficult for people in different ways, and the weather conditions have made driving that bit more dangerous and hazardous.
“Those people who have a journey to make by car this weekend, especially in areas still impacted by the storm, please make sure your focus is on the road and drive with extra caution. There may still be debris, trees or fallen and low-hanging electrical wires to be careful of when out on the roads whether you are driving, cycling or walking.
“If anyone finds themselves in need of help or support this Bank Holiday Weekend, be it while using the roads or in difficulty without water and electricity, please get in touch with us. We will be continuing to check on older or vulnerable people and will be out on patrol so please stop us or contact us if there is anything we can do to help keep you safe.”