Drivers urged to be aware of pedestrians and cyclists over Bank Holiday Weekend
'We don't want to have to call to anybody's door to deliver bad news over the course of this weekend'
Gardai have issued a special appeal for drivers to be 'particularly mindful of the risks associated with vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists' over the Bank Holiday Weekend.
They are urging everyone to stay safe as bank holidays are the busiest periods on Irish roads.
In a fresh appeal posted across social media platforms this afternoon, Chief Superintendent, Roads Policing, David Harrington, asked all road users 'to pay additional care and attention to how they use our road networks'.
Chief Superintendent David Harrington issues a new appeal
News in 90 Seconds - May 30th
He highlighted vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists as he appealed to all drivers, 'to reduce speed, remove distractions such as mobile phones, wear their seatbelts and under no circumstances ever drive under the influence of drink or drugs'.
'We don't want to have to call to anybody's door to deliver bad news over the course of this weekend,' Chief Super Harrington said. 'People should be enjoying themselves and carrying out safe journeys across the country so please be mindful of your behaviour on the roads this weekend.
Two people were killed and six others were left with life-threatening injuries over the recent May bank holiday weekend.
Gardaí had carried out a major roads policing operation nationwide from the morning of Thursday, May 1 until Tuesday, May 6, in a bid to improve road safety.
During the operation gardaí carried out more than 1,000 Mandatory Intoxicant Testing (MIT) checkpoints, which resulted in over 13,000 breath tests and around 280 oral fluid tests.
A total of 187 people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
More than 3,000 drivers were clocked driving above the legal speed limit.
Gardaí issued hundreds of Fixed Charge Notices for additional road safety offences, including over 270 for using mobile phones while driving, more than 340 for unaccompanied learner drivers, and 115 for not wearing seatbelts.
In total, 147 vehicles were seized from learner drivers who were driving unaccompanied, while 444 vehicles were taken off the road for having no tax or insurance.
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