REVEALED: October Bank Holiday was nightmare weekend as concerning rise in road fatalities reported

A CONCERNING rise in road fatalities and traffic violations have been recorded by An Garda Síochána, the results of which have been released as part of the October Bank Holiday Roads Policing Operation for 2023.

The operation, which ran from 7am on Thursday, October 26, to 7am on Wednesday, November 1, aimed to enhance road safety over the weekend.

Tragically, during this period, two lives were lost on Irish roads, and nine serious collisions occurred, resulting in nine individuals sustaining life-threatening injuries. These grim statistics underscore the urgent need for improved road safety measures.

The report discloses that, to date this year, 157 people have lost their lives on Irish roads, which is 34 more lives lost compared to the same period last year. These alarming numbers are a clear indication of the escalating road safety crisis.

Throughout the October Bank Holiday period, An Garda Síochána executed 949 Mandatory Intoxicant Testing (MIT) checkpoints, and an astonishing 5,852 roadside drug and alcohol tests were conducted. These tests led to 211 arrests for driving under the influence of intoxicants, with 41 of those arrests occurring between 6am and 2pm.

This resulted in over 745 on-the-spot Fixed Charge Penalty Notices for speeding offenses being issued during the holiday weekend. Among the 647,933 vehicles checked for speeding by Go-Safe nationwide, 1,973 drivers were found to be in violation.

Notable top speeds detected in different speed zones include:

130km/h in a 50km/h zone on the R463 Corbally Road, Limerick
128km/h in a 60km/h zone on the Stillorgan Road, Blackrock, Dublin
147km/h in an 80km/h zone on the R178 Redbog, Carrickmacross, Louth
166km/h in a 100km/h zone on the N26 Ballynahaglish, Ballina, Mayo
203km/h in a 120km/h zone on the M8 Ballinaglanna North, Kilworth, Cork

Apart from speeding, there were numerous other Fixed Charge Offenses during this period, including 288 cases of using mobile phones while driving, 110 cases of unaccompanied learner drivers, and 76 cases of not wearing seatbelts.

In addition, 81 vehicles were seized from learner permit holders driving unaccompanied, 168 vehicles were seized for being uninsured, and 176 vehicles were seized for not having tax.

Furthermore, there was a shocking 55% increase in the number of motorists detected as driving under the influence of drugs compared to the previous October Bank Holiday Weekend.

Assistant Commissioner Hilman, Roads Policing and Community Engagement Garda National Roads Policing Bureau, expressed his concern, saying, "Gardaí nationwide received good support from road users across the October Bank Holiday Weekend in helping us and our partners to keep our roads safe.

"Our thoughts are with all those who have suffered the loss of a loved one on our roads or who have sustained life-changing injuries caused in a serious road traffic collision."