A SPEEDING motorist in Stranorlar was detected driving at 107km/h in a 60km/h zone during the first days of the nationwide Christmas Road Safety campaign.
Over the past week, An Garda Síochána carried out over 1,750 checkpoints, both statutory Mandatory Intoxicant Testing (MIT) and regular, high-visibility policing checkpoints.
118 people were arrested during this period for driving under the influence of an intoxicant (alcohol and drugs).
Over 3,100 drivers were detected for speeding offences by An Garda Síochána and Mobile Safety Camera Vans by our Road Safety Partners, GoSafe.
Notable top speeds detected include:
- 112km/h in a 50km/h zone on the Phibsborough Road in Dublin 7
- 107km/h in a 60km/h zone on the N15 in Stranorlar, Co. Donegal
- 159km/h in an 80km/h zone on the R418 in Kilcullen, Co. Kildare
- 185km/h in a 100km/h zone on the N80 in Craan, Co. Carlow
- 184km/h in a 120km/h zone on the M1 in Donabate, Co. Dublin
An Garda Síochána is conducting a dedicated road traffic enforcement operation throughout the Christmas period which began on Monday, December 1 and will continue until Monday, January 5.
During the first week of the operation, between Monday, December 1 and Sunday, December 7 inclusive, there were two fatalities on our roads and 12 serious collisions that resulted in a number of people receiving serious and life-threatening injuries.
Over 630 vehicles were seized by Gardaí for a range of offences under the Road Traffic Act, 1961.
In addition, approximately 390 Fixed Charge Notices were issued for the offence of using a mobile phone while driving and approximately 110 Fixed Charge Notices were issued for seat belt offences.
The Christmas period is one of the busiest on Irish roads. It is also one of the periods during which road users are at the highest risk of being involved in a fatal or serious road traffic collision.
To date, 168 people have lost their lives in road traffic collisions on Irish roads.
An Garda Síochána is appealing to all those that will be taking to the roads over the Christmas period to slow down, take extra care and to give your driving your full attention.
Speaking at a joint An Garda Síochána/PSNI road safety briefing at Bridgend border crossing in Donegal this morning, Superintendent David Kelly, Donegal Division, said: “We’re asking everybody to support us in this campaign and make it a safe and happy Christmas for everybody.
“We’re engaging in high-profile policing and concentrating on key Lifesaver offences – driving under the influence of an intoxicant, reducing speed, wearing seatbelts and not using the mobile phone while driving.
“When people die on our roads, we see great community support at funerals; we have representatives from clubs and societies doing Guards of Honour.
“I’d ask the communities now not to get involved post the fact but before, by encouraging their membership to be safe on the roads. We want you to support us to help keep everyone safe.
“If you know somebody who’s getting into a car under the influence, have a word in their ear. Prevention is equally important to detection.”
