Gardaí launch holiday weekend road safety campaign

THIS October bank holiday period, An Garda Síochána is appealing to all road users to take extra care when using the roads.

There will be an increase in traffic as many will set out to visit family and friends, travelling to different parts of the country, which will involve undertaking long road journeys. An Garda Síochána appeal to all motorists to slow down, always wear their seatbelts, be well rested and never ever drink and drive.

An Garda Síochána are asking road users to act responsibly and make this bank holiday period a safe time for everyone.

Everyone using a vehicle should be aware of their road safety campaign which will focus primarily on:

Driving while intoxicated

Speeding

Failure to wear seat belts

Distraction driving - use of mobile phones, ipods, driver fatigue, etc.

Dangerous/careless driving

Lighting of vehicles

 

The objective of this campaign is to reduce road traffic collisions, save lives, and reduce injuries and to remind drivers of the dangers of speeding on our roads.

Drivers should pay attention to the speed limit signs on all roads but especially on entering built up areas. Remember, this is a holiday period and there will be a lot of children out and about for both the holiday period and Halloween.

Garda enforcement activity will be conducted on sections of the road network that have a propensity for speed related collisions and will target all vehicles, including commercial vehicles of all classifications.

Gardaí will be patrolling the road network throughout the Western Region (which includes Clare, Galway, Mayo, Roscommon and Longford) over the bank holiday period, in both marked and unmarked vehicles.

The operations will consist of Mandatory Intoxicating Testing Checkpoints - both during daylight and at night – and the use of all speed enforcement technologies. Drivers are reminded that in addition to mandatory breath testing, they can be breath-tested if they commit any road traffic offence.

Drivers are urged to take all necessary steps to ensure that their vehicles are safe. Ensure cars have tyres fitted that comply with current regulations, are up to standard and roadworthy – as tyre offences are subject to penalty points. Over the past number of years, defective tyres were the most significant contributory factor identified in almost two thirds of fatal collisions. Drivers should also ensure that all the vehicle lights are in good working order.

Over the bank holiday weekend drivers are urged to:

Slow down and drive at appropriate speed – take into account road type/condition, weather conditions and traffic volumes.

Allow plenty of time for your journey - take regular breaks – do not drive if you are tired or try to fight the tiredness – pull over, take a 15/20 minute nap followed by a coffee and some fresh air.

Ensure everyone in vehicles is wearing their safety belt.

Make sure all children are in a suitable safety seat.

Don’t drink and drive - if using a car, park it, lock it and leave it.

Gardaí are also urging vulnerable road users - such as cyclists and pedestrians - to make sure that they are wearing high viz clothing right throughout the day but especially during hours of darkness.

Motorists are asked to be conscious of cyclists and pedestrians using the roads.

Drivers should also be fully aware of the dangers of driving the morning after the night before. Approximately 1 in 10 drink driving arrests occur between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. So it is critical that drivers take measures to ensure their safety and the safety of others and this means leaving the car at home and taking a taxi or public transport the morning after if they need to get somewhere. It’s just not worth the chance if you are still over the legal limit.