The Garda has warned motorists that it will be carrying out a major crackdown tomorrow and Friday against speeding motorists.
The operation, involving officers from the Garda Traffic Corps and regular units, will take place on fifteen selected national routes.
In addition in targeting speeders, gardaí will be enforcing seat belt laws.
A Garda spokesman said there has been a marginal increase in the number of people not wearing seatbelts. A recent survey by the National Roads Authority showed that in 2005, 13 of every hundred male drivers and eight out of every hundred women were found not to be wearing seat belts. This is only a marginal increase on a similar survey in 2003.
Over half of adults in rear seats and almost a third of primary school children were found not to be wearing seat belts.
Gardaí warned that drivers found not to be wearing seat belts will be fined and given two penalty points. This could rise to four points in court.
Some 1,895 fixed charge notices for non-wearing of belts have been issued since April 3 rd.
Assistant Commissioner Eddie Rock, Garda National Traffic Bureau said the focus of the operation "is to encourage a better compliance culture and to raise awareness in all areas of road safety, particularly in respect of speed and seat belt wearing.
"There will also be an emphasis on dangerous driving, as well as other offences such as dangerous overtaking and crossing continuous white lines," he said. Drink driving will also be targeted.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern insisted in the Dail today that the Traffic Corps was making a difference in addressing the carnage on Irish roads. Up to 150 people have so far died on Irish roads in 2006. Fourteen have already died in the first eight days of May and eight of these deaths occurred within 24 hours last weekend.