Gardai expect to arrest 400 motorists for drink driving and catch a further 3,000 for speeding over this Bank Holiday, the head of the Garda Traffic Corps said this morning.
Speaking on RTÉ radio, Assistant Commissioner Eddie Rock said while it was little comfort to relatives of those involved in recent road deaths "the fact that road deaths have decreased by 30 people since the introduction of mandatory alcohol testing still stands."
"I can say with certainty there'll be about 400 people processed for drink-driving this weekend. There'll be about 3,000 detected for serious speeding over the weekend also," he said.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern
Assistant Commissioner Rock also appealed to parents to ensure they know where their children are and how they are getting home and he asked drivers to plan their journeys properly and to include sufficient numbers of breaks.
"We talk about young people but, God knows, there are so many adults who give bad examples to their children who are of a very impressionable age and then the generation comes around after and blames the young people."
Gardaí have said they will be running a hard-hitting road safety enforcement operation this weekend.
"If you are drinking this bank holiday weekend - don't drive; use a nominated non-drinking driver to do the driving or else use public transport," a Garda spokesman said.
A large number of breathalysing checkpoints are planned for every Garda division over the three days.
Last night, the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern asked motorists to help halt the carnage on the roads ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend.
"I ask you to join with me in preventing deaths and serious injuries on our roads," he said in a statement.
"I particularly urge young people to rise to this challenge, and to make sure that their families do not get that dreaded call from the gardaí delivering terrible news. We can prevent deaths.
Garda checkpoint
"I want to make a particular appeal to parents and young people to do all within their grasp to make this a safe weekend for driving. I am determined that as a nation we cease the unnecessary carnage, death, injury and grief caused by road collisions," he said.
"There is no simple quick remedy. My Government has provided the legislation and resources required by the gardaí, and we are determined to do more. We have the key ingredients in place in terms of the Road Safety Authority, the road building provisions contained in the Transport 21 plan, and Garda Enforcement levels to ensure that no stone is left unturned to deliver in these areas," the Taoiseach said.
Minister for Transprot Martin Cullen said this morning road deaths and critical injuries resulting from road accidents are still having a "profound impact" on communities throughout the country. "We are all only too aware of the tragic deaths of young men in particular last weekend and the lives of others lost in recent days.
"We can all have a safe Bank Holiday weekend if we obey the law. Wear a seat belt whether you are sitting in the back or front of a car and if you are tired do not drive.
"A car can be a lethal weapon - do not get in behind the wheel if you have taken a drink. Even one alcoholic drink should be avoided if you are going to drive. I know that significant numbers of Mandatory Alcohol Testing checkpoints are planned for every Garda division over the holiday weekend," he said.
Last October Bank Holiday weekend, five people were killed in road crashes, and 137 were injured. Around 324 people were arrested for drink-driving offences over the same period.
Gardaí also warned drivers that using handheld mobile phones whilst driving is a penalty point offence. Around 260 people are issued notices for breaking the offence every week.
People driving longer journeys over the weekend were urged to take frequent breaks to avoid driver fatigue. Research released by the Road Safety Authority yesterday suggested that driver fatigue impaired driving to a similar extent as consuming alcohol.
