Gardaí and RSA launch Bank Holiday road safety appeal

As the October Bank Holiday Weekend approaches, An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority are appealing to all road users to stay safe.

Bank Holiday Weekends are among the busiest periods on Irish roads. They are also among the periods where road users are at the highest risk of being involved in a fatal or serious road traffic collision.

To date this year, 138 people have lost their lives in road traffic collisions on Irish roads.

With shorter daylight hours and clocks going back one hour this Sunday, An Garda Síochána reminds all road users to ‘Be Safe, Be Seen’. Drivers are encouraged to use dipped headlights during the day, particularly if their vehicle does not have Daytime Running Lights.

Pedestrians and cyclists should wear high-visibility clothing and ensure they are clearly visible in darker conditions – statistics show a rise in pedestrian injuries on Irish roads between October and December each year.

Of the road fatalities so far this year, 29 were pedestrians.

An Garda Síochána is conducting a dedicated road traffic enforcement operation throughout the October Bank Holiday weekend which will  continue until 7am on Tuesday, October 28. Every member of An Garda Síochána on duty will be out conducting road traffic enforcement activity.

The focus will be on detecting and deterring key risk behaviours such as speeding, impaired driving, mobile phone use, and non-wearing of seat belts.