Gardai have issued a new road safety appeal after eight people were killed on the road over the June Bank Holiday weekend.
There have now been 79 road deaths since the beginning of the year.
On Thursday 2 June 2022, An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority launched a road safety appeal in advance of the June Bank Holiday weekend with a focus on urging drivers to slow down and always choose a speed that is appropriate to the driving conditions.
Over the June Bank Holiday, a Garda operation was put in place between 7am Thursday, 2 June 2022 and 7am Tuesday, 7 June 2022.
Tragically 8 persons died in 6 Fatal Collisions on our roads (3 Drivers, 3 Motorcyclists, 1 Passenger and 1 Pedestrian).
Comparing with the June Bank Holiday weekend in 2019 there was also 8 deaths on our roads in 6 Fatal Collisions (4 Drivers, 2 Pedestrians, 1 Passenger and 1 Pedal Cyclist).
While significant progress was made on our roads over recent years in reducing road deaths these fatalities, and a further Road Death yesterday Thursday 9th June 2022, bring the total number killed on our roads in 2022 to 79.
These 79 fatalities are an increase of 32 road fatalities compared to date in 2021 and an increase of 15 road fatalities compared to date in 2019.
Over the June Bank Holiday period, An Garda Síochána carried out 1,585 checkpoints including 817 Mandatory Intoxicant Testing checkpoints.
69 drivers were arrested for alleged drug driving and 113 drivers arrested for alleged drink driving.
This compares to 32 arrests for drug driving and 115 arrests for drink driving in 2019.
In addition 311 Vehicles were detained under section 41 Road Traffic Act for offences such as NO Driving Licence, NO Insurance and NO NCT.
Speaking today Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman, Roads Policing and Community Engagement said:
"79 people have died on our roads so far this year. This is not just a number, these are people, husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, friends, colleagues. There is one simple thing that every driver can do to help stop this carnage, one simple message, ‘Slow Down.’
An Garda Síochána remains committed to ensuring compliance with road traffic legislation to improve safety on our roads. But every road user can play their part too.”
Gardaí are encouraging drivers to slow down, be attentive, and never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
