A major Garda traffic policing operation is to be conducted over the next two weeks on the six main routes out of Dublin.
The operation, which will concentrate on accident blackspots, starts tomorrow when there will be a highly visible Garda presence on the Dublin-to-Galway road.
A number of checkpoints will be put in place, and unmarked cars will travel the route with speed cameras.
Chief Superintendent John Farrelly, Garda National Traffic Bureau
The other routes which will be targeted during the two week operation, involving all 531 offices of the newly formed Garda Traffic Corps, are Dublin to Cork, Limerick, Wexford, Castlebar and the Dublin-to-Belfast road as far as the Border at Dromad.
According to Chief Superintendent John Farrelly of the Garda National Traffic Bureau, it is the first time a co-ordinated nationwide operation of this type has been mounted.
"We are trying to get people to change their behaviour rather than increase the number of detections," Chief Supt Farrelly told ireland.com.
"Over the next nine days we may not even catch that many people. But if we save one or two lives with an operation like this, then it's worth it."
The operation will enforce all traffic laws but will have a particular emphasis on on speeding, non-wearing of seat belts, dangerous driving and drink driving.
A Garda presence will be maintained on the roads each day between 8am and 3am and the Garda Air Support Unit will be used to monitor the behaviour of road users.
Mr Brian Farrell of the National Safety Council said the annoucement was a welcome development and that by choosing these busy routes Gardai were effectively targetting 48 percent of all motorists.
Mr Conor Faughnan, of motoring association the AA, also welcomed the announcement saying he "hopes and believes it is the shape of things to come".
"I'm very encouraged by it - we need to have a visible Garda presence on the main roads," said Mr Faughnan. "I am even more encouraged that they are focusing on collision-prone locations and times."
He also welcomed the fact that the operation is concentrating on reducing the number of road deaths rather than increasing the detection rates.
To date this year there have been 95 deaths on Irish roads. If that rate is maintained the total for the year would be 380 - a slight increase on the 2004 figure of 378.
However, Brian Farell pointed out that during March there has been just 24 road deaths, which he attributed to high profile Garda enforcement over the two busy holiday weekends.
"If that could be maintained on a monthly level we would hit the Government's strategic target level," said Mr Farrell.