An alarming number of 137 drivers were apprehended for driving under the influence during the recent Bank Holiday weekend. This year’s road fatality count in Ireland, standing at 80, represents the highest in ten years. Many drivers were subjected to breath tests at a road safety point on the M7, near Nenagh in County Tipperary by Garda officers on Monday. Additionally, a man was arrested at the aforementioned checkpoint on charges under the Road Traffic Act and was taken to a local Garda station.
Inspector Noel Barry of the Tipperary and Clare Garda Roads Policing expressed that the elevated arrest record for the weekend was consistent with the previous year’s numbers. He also stated that police checks focused on offences including drug and alcohol use. It was reported that up until 7am on the morning of the statement, 137 individuals had been taken into custody for drink or drug driving offences, with an expected increase within the next 24 hours, according to Barry.
Inspector Barry conveyed his condolences to the loved ones of a pedestrian who tragically lost their life on the N18 at Portdrine, County Clare early on Saturday morning. He also sent good wishes to the family of a young man lying critically ill in hospital following a single-vehicle accident near Swinford, County Mayo on Monday morning.
He acknowledged the ‘very high’ death toll on the roads in the first quarter of this year, with each figure representing a family, friends, and other road users touched by the tragedy. Thankfully, Barry noted, the alarming upward trend is showing signs of ‘plateauing’, and it is hoped that this will continue.
In conclusion, Barry stressed the absolute necessity for all road users, particularly drivers, to maintain alertness to bring down these tragic figures. He reiterated the primary message of the Garda for drivers to become more aware and thoughtful in relation to their driving behaviours.
Inspector Barry delineated activities such as sledging, neglecting to fasten seat-belts, and interacting with mobile phones while in the driver’s seat as potentially “deadly” violations. “All these factors contribute to mishaps on the highways, distracting the driver and other road occupants,” he stated. Mr. Barry urged motorists to reconsider before stepping on the gas or reaching for their mobile phones while urging them to buckle up and refrain from driving after drinking.
[ Body-cameras newly implemented by Garda are anticipated to heighten prosecutions of the far right. ]
The Garda are additionally exploring the possibility of instituting an arrangement where drivers equipped with dash cams who capture road traffic violations on film can submit the footage through an internet-based platform for the Garda to review, and perhaps utilize it in road traffic court cases.
Mr. Barry continued, “It forms a part of our protocol. We’re taking advantage of technological advancements, with our Garda mobility application that inspects every automobile that enters the (checkpoint) to ensure all is as it should be, signalling our members if there are any warnings related to banned drivers or other legal issues.”
“We also utilise ANPR (automatic number-plate recognition) technology to keep an eye on the vehicles entering the checkpoint and they too trigger alarms, thus any vehicle entering the end of the slip road will be intercepted – whether it’s a banned driver or a criminal alert, we will handle the situation appropriately.”