Paddy's weekend: Gardaí urge caution after four people died on roads this time last year

Eva Osborne

Gardaí and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) are appealing to drivers to never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or accept lifts from anyone that they belive may be under the influence this bank holiday weekend.

Director of Research at the RSA, Michael Rowland, pointed out that four people died and 12 were seriously injured in road traffic collisions over the St Patrick’s bank holiday weekend last year.

Ahead of the national holiday, drivers and all other road users are being reminded to plan ahead and organise a safe way home if socialising over the coming days.

Gardaí urged anyone who is intending to socialise and have drinks at any point over the long weekend to to leave their car at home - arrange a designated driver among friends, pre-book a taxi, use public transport where possible or fix up a lift home from someone they trust who will not be under the influence.

"At no point is it safe or acceptable to get behind the wheel of a vehicle after having an intoxicant like alcohol or drugs.

"Walking home or cycling under the influence of alcohol or drugs can also put you and other road users at risk.

"In the 10 weeks since the turn of the year, 33 people have been killed in fatal road traffic collisions on the roads in Ireland."

An extensive Garda Roads Policing Operation will take place throughout this St Patrick’s Bank Holiday Weekend. It got underway at 7am on Thursday morning and will run until 7am on Tuesday, March 18th.

Every member of An Garda Síochána on-duty this long weekend will be out conducting road traffic enforcement activity, gardaí said.

They will be focussed on targeting the four offences that are proven to cause fatal and serious collisions:

• Intoxicated driving;
• Speeding;
• Using your mobile phone;
• Not wearing a seatbelt.

Minister for Transport, Darragh O’Brien TD said: "Road safety is a priority for this Government and we are determined to reduce the fatalities and serious injuries have devastated so many families and communities across Ireland.

"A range of legislative measures, including the recent reduction in speed limits on rural, local roads, and the introduction of mandatory roadside testing for drugs as well as for alcohol in any driver involved in a serious collision, will help us progress towards the achievement of Vision Zero by 2050.

"We must continue to work together to ensure the safety of all road users and all in our communities.”

Chief Superintendent, Jane Humphries of the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau said: "On every day of 2024, gardaí arrested at least one driver every hour for driving while intoxicated.

"While drug driving is a major concern, the vast majority of the thousands of people detected and arrested for intoxicated driving during the past year were under the influence of alcohol.

"This weekend will be a big social one for lots of people and we are here to keep the public safe, but we also need everyone’s help to achieve this. Under no circumstances should you get into your car and drive if you have consumed drink or drugs.

"That decision can either take your life, go on to define it or lead to someone else losing theirs.”