Two road deaths mark start of holiday weekend

Two people were killed in separate road incidents yesterday amid heightened concern about road safety for the bank holiday weekend.

An 80-year-old man was killed when the car he was driving struck a lorry at Dr Barry Bridge, Rathcormack, on the N8 between Cork and Fermoy. He was taken to University College Hospital, Cork where he was pronounced dead. Gardaí at Fermoy are investigating the incident, which occurred at 11.30 a.m.

Earlier yesterday, at 1.30 a.m., an 18-year-old motorcyclist died when his bike hit a ditch at Proudstown, Co Meath. The man was taken to Our Lady's Hospital, Navan, where he died a short time later.

The fatalities come amid fresh warnings from the Garda that it will have a bigger enforcement presence than normal over the weekend under Operation Taisteal. Checkpoints are to be set up in each division with enforcement to be centred on "collision-prone locations".

During the August bank holiday period last year, nine people were killed in eight incidents on Irish roads and over 140 injured.

The latest Garda operation, to run until midnight next Monday, promises to focus particularly on speeding, drink-driving, the non-wearing of seatbelts and the "driving behaviour of young male drivers".

"Motorists are reminded to drive carefully, at the appropriate speed, and ensure that all drivers and occupants wear their seat-belts on all journeys. Never, ever drink and drive. Anybody who witnesses suspected drunken driving should contact the Garda immediately," said the Garda in a statement.

Meanwhile, the National Safety Council and the AA reissued advice to drivers and passengers yesterday that they are required by law to wear a safety belt at all times.

Drivers have a responsibility to ensure passengers who are aged under 17, occupying either front or rear seats, wear a seat-belt. Children aged under four must have an appropriate child restraint.

Drivers have also been put on notice that from August 25th they will face up to four penalty points and a fine of up to €800, if convicted in court, if they fail to observe seat-belt regulations. More than 60,000 detections are made each year by the Garda for seat-belt offences.

Yesterday's fatalities bring to 210 the number of people killed on Irish roads this year, a decrease of 22 on the same period in 2002. Further safety advice has been issued to swimmers on what is one of the busiest weekends on Ireland's rivers, lakes and beaches.