One arrest for intoxicated driving each hour over weekend

One person was arrested for intoxicated driving every hour over the May Bank Holiday Weekend, according to figures from An Garda Síochána.

Gardaí carried out a road safety operation from 7am last Thursday until 7am this morning, during which 5,349 roadside drug and alcohol tests were conducted.

A total of 196 people were arrested for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol during that time.

Gardaí have described the figures as a “real concern”.

Chief Superintendent Jane Humphries of the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau said: “There is only so many ways that we can say this and we won’t be polite about it – never, never, ever get behind the wheel of a car while under the influence of drink or drugs. Any day, any time.

“The financial penalty, prospect of losing your licence or criminal offence and time in prison might not be enough of a deterrent to some but the potential of causing serious and/or fatal injuries to yourself as well as others should be enough to stop you.”

Over 900 drivers were detected speeding over the weekend, including once motorist caught travelling at 127km/h in a 60km/h zone on the R188 near Doocassan in Cavan.

Other motorists were found driving at 153km/h in a 100km/h zone on the N11 Newcastle, Co Wicklow, and at 136km/h in an 80km/h zone along the R731 at Rathnure, Co Wexford

Over 220 people were found to be using their mobile phone while driving, while more than 100 were not wearing a seatbelt.

One person died on Irish roads during this time, bringing to 71 the number of road deaths this year – 15 more than the same period last year.