Motorists warned of clampdown on drink driving and speeding

Gardaí in Galway have warned they will be out in force for the Bank Holiday Weekend, cracking down on drink driving, drug driving and speeding.

And they have renewed their appeal for motorists to be careful if driving after a night out, as they may still be over the legal alcohol limit.

Superintendent Ernie White, Acting Head of Traffic for the Garda Western Region, said that bank holiday weekends are high risk periods on the roads, with an increase in traffic volumes.

He said it’s not worth taking the chance by drinking and driving, and people may still be over the limit the morning after.

“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,” said Supt White.

He said Gardaí will be out on patrol across Galway over the weekend in both marked and unmarked cars.

“In addition to mandatory breath testing for alcohol, motorists can be tested for the presence of illegal drugs, especially if they commit any road traffic offence,” he said.

In Galway City alone, there were 7,076 breath tests performed last year, down eleven per cent from the 7,952 in 2015 – drunk driving offences remained the same at 166.

The traffic chief said it would be advisable to leave the car at home.

“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. If you use your own transport to travel to a venue, park it, lock it and leave it. Collect your vehicle the following day when safe and alcohol-free to do so. 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.”

So far this year, 61 people have been killed on Irish roads – two of those have been in Galway and three in Mayo.

Supt White said that with secondary school holidays also commencing, there will be even more traffic on the road.

“There will be an increase in traffic as many will be travelling to different parts of the country. The school holidays will also be commencing for secondary school children, so we appeal to all motorists and motorcyclists to slow down, always wear their seatbelts, wear the appropriate safety clothing at all times, be well rested and never ever drink and drive,” said Supt White.