Chief Superintendent Jane Humphries said those driving under the influence are “selfish” as eight people have died in traffic collisions over a nine-day period.
From December 20 to 29, 18 serious collisions resulted in eight people dying and 20 receiving serious or life-threatening injuries. During the same period, 268 people were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. During the weekend period alone, 74 were arrested.
Over the nine days, 3,750 drivers were detected for speeding offences and over 550 vehicles were seized by Gardaí for a range of offences. Speaking at Hueston Station today, Superintendent Humphries of the Roads Policing Bureau appealed to the public to slow down, limit distractions and never drink and drive.
She said those who choose to drive under the influence “are making that decision” and any collision is not an accident.
Superintendent Humphries continued: “We are seeing behaviour that people know is risky, people know this behaviour is causing a danger to themselves but they are making that decision, they are going ahead and getting behind the wheel regardless, they are being selfish.
“When you are driving a car it is probably the most dangerous thing you will do, you are driving a tonne of metal. You might think you are well protected but reality shows us that’s not always the case.”
An Garda Síochána are also asking passengers to call out their friends and family if they are taking risks while driving. Superintendent Humphries said people may also have to report their loved ones dangerous driving to gardaí.
She said: “If you are a passenger of someone who is showing risky behaviour who are looking at you while talking or they’re on their phone, you have to call them out. It’s too serious. In some cases, people are calling them in.
“It is difficult because it’s calling in your friends and family and those are difficult conversations we all need to have.”
This December, 15 people have lost their lives due to road traffic collisions. Gardaí say this figure is sadly not out of the ordinary, however, they are very concerned about the number of pedestrian deaths.
Since St Stephen’s Day four pedestrians have died and there have been several hit-and-run incidents over the past two months.
Superintendent Humphries said: “Anyone who causes a collision is of concern, if you are involved in a collision do the right thing and remain at the scene and deal with the consequences.
“If you have been driving with care then we have nothing to be concerned about, people are human and make mistakes but you have to take responsibility, running away from them is not the right thing to do and it’s another heartache for the families involved.”
So far this year, 178 people have died on Irish roads. Pedestrians have accounted for 39 of these, 71 were drivers, 35 were passengers, 17 were motorcyclists and 11 were pedal cyclists. Four e-scooter drivers/ passengers died and one was a pillion passenger.
An Garda Síochána will continue its dedicated road traffic enforcement operation throughout the Christmas until January 6. A spokesperson said: “This New Year period will be extremely busy on Irish roads. It will also be one of the periods during which road users are at the highest risk of being involved in a fatal or serious road traffic collision.
“An Garda Síochána is appealing to all those who will be taking to the roads over the New Year period and as people return to home and to work at the end of the week and early next week to slow down, take extra care and to give your driving your full attention.”
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