A MOTORIST was caught speeding 46kmh over the speed limit on the busy road as thousands of vehicles have been checked for speed over the first Bank Holiday weekend of the year.
Gardai have been carrying out the road operation nationwide since 7am on Thursday as part of the St Brigid’s Day Bank Holiday weekend roads policing operation.
Throughout the operation, Gardai are conducting both statutory Mandatory Intoxicant Testing and regular, high-visibility policing checkpoints from Thursday to Tuesday.
Since the operation commenced on Thursday morning, nearly 580 drivers were detected for speeding offences during the first 48 hours.
To date, a total of 63 people have been arrested for driving under the influence of an intoxicant, which is alcohol and drugs.
There were three fatalities on the roads during the first 48 hours of the operation, bringing the total number to 14 fatal deaths this year.
Gardai revealed that most road motorists were travelling within the designated speed, but four drivers were detected to be driving dangerously.
One of the motorists was detected driving 139km/h in a 100km/h zone on the N4 at Cullen Beg in Mullingar, Co Westmeath.
Another driver was caught speeding 116km/h in a 80km/h zone on the N55 at Lissoy in Glasson, Co Westmeath.
One was detected driving 106km/h in a 60km/h zone on the R702 at Ballyellin and Tomdarragh in Goresbridge, Co Carlow.
And another was spotted speeding 86km/h in a 50km/h zone on the R661 at Holycross in Co Tipperary.
Despite the figures being reduced, there is a low number of motorists using the roads as communities continue to deal with the effects of Storm Eowyn.
Gardai urges all drivers to “use the roads with care” during the long weekend.
They stated that the risk of a fatal or serious injury road traffic collision is at its highest between midday and 3pm on the four days of the St Brigid’s Day Bank Holiday Weekend.
Drivers are also reminded to plan and organise a safe way home if socialising over the coming days, especially when planning to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
‘TAKE EXTRA CARE’
A spokesperson for Gardai said: “An Garda Síochána is urging the public to use the roads with care over the Bank Holiday weekend.
“The risk of a fatal or serious injury road traffic collision is at its highest between midday and 3pm on each of the four days of the St Brigid’s Day Bank Holiday Weekend.
“An Garda Síochána is appealing all road users to never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“Drivers and all other road users are being reminded to plan ahead and organise a safe way home if socialising over the coming days.
“All drivers who are taking to the roads this weekend are reminded to slow down, take extra care and to give your driving your full attention.”
