National: No road deaths for first week of December but Gardaí urge motorists to stay safe over Christmas

An Garda Síochána’s Christmas and New Year Road Safety Enforcement Operation began on Thursday, November 30, 2023 and will continue until Thursday, January 4, 2024.

To date, 172 people have lost their lives in road traffic collisions on Irish roads. This is 30 more deaths than at this time last year.

An Garda Síochána are urging all road users to be safe this Christmas and New Year. The operation will focus on the dangers of driving under the influence of an intoxicant, without a seatbelt, speeding or using a mobile phone while driving.
 
Between December 1 and 7, 2023, there were thankfully no road fatalities on Irish Roads. This compares with 2 fatalities during the same period in 2022 and 3 in 2019.

An Garda Síochána have arrested over 140 drivers on suspicion of Driving under the Influence of an Intoxicant in the first week.of the Operation. Over 40 of these drivers were arrested on suspicion of Drug Driving.

An Garda Síochána has issued Fixed Charge Notices to drivers for Lifesaver Offences December 1-7, 2023

• 50 Non compliance with Seatbelts
• 200 For use of mobile phones
• Nearly 1800 for driving in excess of the speedlimit

An Garda Síochána continue to appeal to all road users, for whatever reason you will be using the roads during the festive period, whatever your mode of transport may be, to stay safe on the roads this weekend.