Driver clocked at 147km/h in 60km/h zone in Tallaght

ALMOST 1,800 drivers were detected for speeding offences over the St Patrick’s Bank Holiday weekend, according to figures released by An Garda Siochana. 

These figures include a motorist driving at nearly two-and-a-half times the speed limit in Tallaght, when they were clocked doing 147km/h in Cookstown – a 60km/h zone.

Over the course of the bank holiday weekend, a Garda Roads Operation was in place between 7am on Thursday, March 14, and 7am on Tuesday, March 19.

Gardai carried out more than 760 Mandatory Intoxicant Testing (MIT) checkpoints, with over 9,970 roadside drug and alcohol tests being conducted.

These tests led to 175 arrests for driving under the influence of an intoxicant, gardai said in a statement released.

Fixed charge offences for other road offences included more than 170 detections for using mobile phones, 92 unaccompanied learner drivers and 59 for no seatbelts.

More than 75 vehicles were seized from learner permit holders driving unaccompanied while over 385 vehicles were seized for having no tax or insurance.

Chief Superintendent, Jane Humphries of the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau said: “An Garda Siochana is grateful to motorists and all those on the roads over the Bank Holiday weekend for their support and cooperation with our road safety operation.

“We must continue to be mindful of our actions behind the wheel and prioritise safe driving habits every day to ensure we keep all road users safe.”

She added: “Gardai nationwide continue to work hard to enforce road traffic laws and highlight the importance of road safety among communities.

“We appeal to schools, workplaces, colleges and community groups to help us raise awareness among all ages, and we are always happy to get the opportunity to present to groups.

“Every single one of us have a responsibility to practice good driver behaviour and prevent both road fatalities and serious injury road traffic collisions.

“We have got to work together.”

An Garda Siochana continue to appeal to all road users to never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, to slow down and to always choose a speed that is appropriate to the driving conditions, to wear your seatbelt and keep your eyes always on the road. Drive