Gardai target drug drivers over June Bank Holiday weekend
By Hayden Moore
DRUG drivers are being targeted over the June Bank Holiday weekend by An Garda Síochána as part of a road safety campaign, which will also focus on speeding, mobile phone use and seatbelts.
According to gardai, 62 people have lost their lives or been seriously injured in June bank holiday colisions in the last five years.
Gardai announced this week, that they will be conducting roadside screenings at Mandatory Intoxicant Testing checkpoints right across the nation all weekend.
Chief Superintendent Paul Cleary, from the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau said: “Members of the Garda Roads Policing Unit will be conducting roadside screening at Mandatory Intoxicant Testing checkpoints right around the country.
“The roadside test for drugs has enabled members of the roads policing units to tackle the serious issue of drug driving.
“We will also be targeting other killer behaviours such as speeding, mobile phone use and non-wearing of seatbelts.”
There has also been a 15 percent increase in the number of arrests made for road users found driving under the influence (DUI) of drink or drugs, or both.
Almost 2,700 people were arrested for DUI from January to April, which is a rise of over 350 when compared to the same period last year.
Follow An Garda Síochána and RSA Ireland for updates right across the weekend.
