'No text is worth a life': Limerick gardai lead 24-hour operation against phone use at the wheel

GARDAÍ across Limerick will be carrying out a 24-hour operation today focused on drivers who use their phones or allow themselves to get distracted behind the wheel.

Sergeant Aoife Bannon from Community Policing at Henry Street Garda Station said:

"This isn’t just a routine check—it’s a nationwide effort to tackle one of the biggest dangers on our roads. Gardai will be out making sure drivers understand that these behaviours are not just risky they’re illegal."

In 2025, sadly, 190 people lost their lives on Irish roads. Ten of those deaths happened right here in Limerick," explained Sgt Bannon. "Behind some of these tragedies is a moment of distraction. These are choices that can have devastating consequences. So this campaign is about reminding drivers that staying focused does actually save lives."

READ MORE: 'A bit of ket... no point in lying': Student found in possession of drugs in Limerick city

Sgt Bannon added that notifications or hands-free calls "can be just as dangerous."

"Modern phones are full of features—alerts, video calls, streaming—and even if you’re not touching the device, those distractions pull your attention away from the road. Driving demands your full concentration. And when you’re distracted, you’re not just risking your own life—you’re risking the lives of passengers, pedestrians, and other drivers. It’s a responsibility we all share."

The local garda concluded by pleading with motorists to "put the phone down" and keep their eyes on the road. "No text, no call or no notification is worth a life."