Tourists’ standard of driving in particular is being targeted in a concerted effort to contain rising death tolls on Irish roads.
The Road Safety Authority and senior gardaí have called for a concerted effort on the issue in a year when nearly 7 million tourists are expected to visit the Republic.
The Garda is keen to reverse the rising trend in fatalities after eight years of improving road safety standards. Launching a road safety drive and information booklet for holidaymakers, Asst Garda Commissioner Gerard Phillips said: "Since 2009, 56 people visiting Ireland were killed or seriously injured. We have already seen a 4 per cent increase in tourist numbers during February, March and April... This booklet will provide much-needed support to visitors who may be inexperienced on Irish roads."
Vigilance needed
Ireland has the fifth lowest road deaths toll of any European state, RSA chief executive Noel Brett said, adding greater vigilance was needed to improve on this record.
“This campaign will provide tourists with road safety information, before their visit and while they are here, to ensure they have a safe an enjoyable trip.”
The RSA and the Garda denied there are fewer gardaí patrolling the roads to deter dangerous driving.
Asst Commissioner Phillips said the Traffic Corps had some 850 officers but he admitted officer numbers had fallen in recent years.
“Numbers have come down over the past few years and consequently numbers in the Traffic Corps,” he said. However, he said officers on traffic duty would be supplemented by other gardaí during the holiday season and for the rest of the year.
“Enforcement would be very strict for the month of June and for the rest of the year because June was a very bad month last year, with 26 people killed. We don’t want a repeat of that this year.”
Minister of State for Tourism Michael Ring warned that motorists caught breaking the law could not expect to find Garda discretion on display when it came to penalty points.
“Whoever gets points should take their points and there should be no waiving of points for anybody. There should be no discretion. You are driving within the law [or not] but I would prefer to see a system where there was no room for manoeuvre. Take your points, take your penalties.”