Gardai urge bank holiday road users to be vigilant

Gardaí have appealed to road-users to be vigilant over the coming days as large numbers are expected to take to the roads for the bank holiday weekend.

The appeal follows the deaths of a pedestrian and a cyclist in separate road accidents yesterday. In Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, an 81-year-old man died after a collision between a pedestrian and a car at 9.25am, while a 44-year-old male cyclist died at Monaghan Road, Blackrock, Cork City, after a collision with a van.

With many schools on mid-term break, and a considerable increase in traffic anticipated, the Garda National Traffic Bureau has sent instructions to chief superintendents to put in place measures to tackle speeding, drink driving, dangerous driving and the non-wearing of seat belts.

Sgt Ronan Farrelly of the Garda Press Office said a greater Garda presence will be focused on well-known accident blackspots. "Checkpoints will be in place, not only on main roads, but on side roads too, and we will be paying extra attention to public houses. There will be unmarked Garda cars out there too. We would advise drivers: give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination and take regular breaks."

The end of daylight saving means all clocks are to be put back by one hour on Sunday morning. "It's a good idea for motorists to put on their side-lights or dipped headlights," Sgt Farrelly said. "Pedestrians should wear bright, luminous colours and carry a torch if walking at night, and the same goes for cyclists."

The National Safety Council has drawn attention to "vulnerable road users". "Our campaign is aimed at older pedestrians, drunk pedestrians - as well as drivers," says its spokesman Brian Farrell.

More than 273,000 passengers are expected to travel through Dublin airport over the weekend, a 7 per cent increase on last year. It is expected that 42,300 passengers will pass through Cork airport, up 20 per cent.

Meanwhile, with Hallowe'en falling on Monday, Dublin Fire Brigade has called for children and parents to exercise caution around bonfires and fireworks.

Adrian Sutton, a Dublin fire prevention officer, said documents have been distributed to schools. "We're asking that bonfires be properly supervised, and not lit near houses or ESB pylons, for example."