Dublin — An Garda Síochána has launched widespread road safety checks across Ireland in a bid to reduce road accidents and deaths over the August Bank Holiday weekend.
This special inspection will take place from the morning of Thursday, July 30 to the morning of Tuesday, August 4. All on-duty Garda officers and GoSafe speed vans have been deployed on the roads for this purpose.
4 main violations targeted
The Gardaí aim to identify four main types of crime that contribute to road accidents:
- Driving under the influence of drugs: 'Mandatory Intoxicant Testing' (MIT) checkpoints will be set up to catch people driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
- Speeding: Speed-measuring vans and plainclothes Garda vehicles will be used to conduct checks.
- Mobile phone usage: Spot fines will be imposed on those who use their phones while driving.
- Not wearing a seat belt: Passengers will be made sure to wear seat belts.
Testing times and methods
Garda data shows that 40 per cent of bank holiday deaths occur on Saturdays and Sundays, so the hours between 12:00 noon and 4:00 pm and between 8:00 pm and 12:00 midnight will be particularly tight.
There will be extensive checks in the early hours of the morning to catch those who drink the night before and drive the next morning. This is because many people do not realize the amount of alcohol remaining in their bodies.
Main travel routes
There will be a strong Garda presence on major highways from cities such as Dublin and Cork. Heavy congestion is expected between 3pm and 7pm on Friday and between 4pm and 8pm on Monday. M50, M1, M7, M8, M4, N11 Strict checks can be expected on the following routes.
Fines and punishments for violators
Gardaí have warned that those breaking the law this long weekend will face the following hefty fines:
- Speeding: €160 fine (this becomes €240 if not paid within 28 days), plus 3 penalty points.
- Mobile phone usage: €120 fine (€180 if not paid), 3 penalty points.
- Not wearing a seat belt: €120 fine (€180 if not paid), 3 penalty points.
- Drunk driving: Mandatory court appearance, maximum fine of €5,000, prison sentence, and license revocation for 3 months to years.
Officials urged commuters to plan their journeys in advance, slow down and drive responsibly. Complete information on driving offences Citizens Information Driving Offences Portal You can check the route.
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