GardaĆ detected more than 2,100 drivers exceeding speed limits in the first 72 hours of the Easter bank holiday weekend, as part of a nationwide road safety operation. The campaign began at 7 a.m. on Thursday, 2 April, and will continue until 7 a.m. on Tuesday.
Authorities have deployed high-visibility policing checkpoints across the country, conducting mandatory testing for alcohol and drugs. GardaĆ have urged all road users to cooperate and exercise caution while travelling during the busy holiday period.
As of Sunday, 98 people had been arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, while over 250 drivers were caught using mobile phones or failing to wear seatbelts.
GardaĆ highlighted several extreme cases of speeding. On the Stillorgan Road in County Dublin, one motorist was detected travelling at 102 km/h in a 60 km/h zone. On the Navan Road in Kells, County Meath, another driver reached 78 km/h in a 50 km/h limit.
The operation, which is part of the Garda national road policing strategy, aims to reduce traffic collisions and fatalities during the Easter period, traditionally one of the busiest times of the year for road travel.
Road safety officials have warned that high speeds, distracted driving, and impaired driving remain major contributors to accidents. They stressed that compliance with traffic laws not only protects drivers but also pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users.
GardaĆ will continue to monitor roads across urban and rural areas, with a particular focus on known high-risk routes. Motorists are advised to plan their journeys carefully, allow extra time for travel, and remain alert to changing road conditions over the long weekend.
Public cooperation is being highlighted as key to the success of the operation. GardaĆ have said that everyone travelling on the roads has a role to play in keeping communities safe, from observing speed limits to refraining from using mobile phones while driving.
The Easter road safety operation follows a pattern of annual campaigns aimed at reducing collisions and fatalities during national holidays. GardaĆ have noted that strict enforcement, combined with public awareness, has proven effective in encouraging safer driving habits.
Authorities said that motorists should expect continued checkpoints and patrols throughout the remainder of the holiday weekend. Drivers are reminded that penalties for speeding, mobile phone use, or impaired driving include fines, penalty points, and potential disqualification from driving.
As the Easter bank holiday continues, GardaĆ are urging the public to make responsible choices, emphasizing that vigilance on the roads can prevent accidents and save lives during this busy travel period.
