Garda blitz on ‘morning after’ bank holiday drivers

‘Morning after’ drivers who are still over the alcohol limit will be targeted as part of a Garda road safety campaign over the May Bank Holiday Weekend.

Officers will also be cracking down on speeding, seatbelts, mobile phones and defective tyres.

Marked and unmarked Garda cars will be taking part in checkpoints over the weekend, across the city and county.

Superintendent Noel Kelly, Head of Traffic for the Western Region said: “Bank holiday weekends are typically high risk periods due to the high volumes of traffic on the national road network.

“Over the May Bank holiday period, many people will set out to visit family and friends and in doing so, some will undertake long road journeys. Drivers are urged to be vigilant and to take all necessary steps to ensure their safety and the safety of other road users.

“Drivers should allow plenty of time for their journeys and not to drive if they are tired.

“Resources will be deployed with the aim of increasing compliance amongst road users and improving overall road safety.

“Inappropriate speed, drink driving, seatbelts and faulty tyres are the greatest contributory factors to road deaths and serious injuries.

“In addition to mandatory breath testing, motorists can breath-tested if they commit any road traffic offence.

“In particular, I would remind drivers of the dangers of driving the morning after the night before. Twelve per cent of all drink driving arrests occur between 8am and 2pm and of those, almost a third happen on a Sunday, peaking between 11am and 2pm.

“So it is critical that drivers take measures to ensure their safety and the safety of others and this means leaving the car at home and taking a taxi or public transport the morning after if they need to get somewhere. It’s just not worth the chance if you are still over the legal limit.

“The safest thing to do if you’re heading out for the night is to plan your journey home by organising a lift, a taxi or using public transport.

“I would also encourage people to look out for each other – if your friend or relative is under the influence of alcohol, make sure they get home safely,” said Supt Kelly.

He said that cyclists and pedestrians are asked to wear appropriate clothing during hours of darkness; cyclists should ensure they have the correct lights and that they are in working order and at all times they are obliged to adhere to the Rules of the Road.

“Motorists are asked to be conscious of cyclists and pedestrians using the roads. Pedestrians and cyclists should ensure that they are wearing high visibility clothing while on the roads and to be conscious of their safety at all times,” he added.