A Donegal driver has been caught speeding well in excess of the speed limit during the third week of the national Christmas Road Safety Campaign.
The driver was detected driving at 144km/h in an 80km/h zone on the R239 in Fahan.
An Garda Síochána are 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 third week of the operation, between Monday, December 15 and Sunday, December 21, there were six fatalities on our roads and 13 serious collisions that resulted in a number of people receiving serious and life-threatening injuries.
Over the past week, An Garda Síochána carried out over 2,021 checkpoints, both statutory Mandatory Intoxicant Testing (MIT) and regular, high-visibility policing checkpoints.
170 people were arrested during this period for driving under the influence of an intoxicant (alcohol and drugs).
Over 5,393 drivers were detected for speeding offences by An Garda Síochána, along with Static Safety Cameras, and Mobile Safety Camera Vans, by our Road Safety Partners, GoSafe.
Over 650 vehicles were seized by Gardaí for a range of offences under the Road Traffic Act, 1961.
In addition, approximately 436 Fixed Charge Notices were issued for the offence of using a mobile phone while driving and approximately 81 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, 184 people have lost their lives in road traffic collisions on Irish roads.
“This year’s Christmas and New Year road safety appeal focuses on the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and the devastating loss of life and serious injuries it can cause.
“An Garda Síochána is appealing to all those who will be taking to the roads over the Christmas period to slow down, take extra care and to give your driving your full attention,” a garda spokesperson said.
