ALERT: Nearly 200 cars seized by gardai during major Christmas clampdown

Gardai have detected hundreds of drink-driving and speeding offences across the county since the annual Christmas clampdown was launched more than three weeks ago.

As of this Monday afternoon, 170 people have lost their lives in road traffic collisions on Irish roads during 2024 - ten less than on the same date last year.

In a statement, a garda spokesperson stated that its "dedicated road traffic enforcement operation" will continue throughout the Christmas period - until Monday, January 6, 2025.

Over the weekend, there were two fatalities and eight serious collisions across the country that resulted in a number of people receiving serious and life-threatening injuries. 

"Over the weekend An Garda Síochána carried out nearly 1,000 checkpoints, both statutory Mandatory Intoxicant Testing and regular high-visibility policing checkpoints. 101 people were arrested during this period for driving under the influence of an intoxicant (alcohol and drugs).  This brings to 590 Drivers the number arrested since the start of the Christmas Enforcement Campaign on November 29 2024," said a spokesperson. 

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Since the campaign began, over 1,200 drivers were detected for speeding offences by An Garda Síochána and its road safety partners, GoSafe. 

The highest speeds detected in various speed zones were

161km/h in a 120km/h zone on the M18 at Gort, County Galway 
160km/h in a 100km/h zone on the N60 at Barnagreggaun, County Mayo
150km/h in a 80km/h zone on the R445 at Castleconnell, Limerick
99km/h in a 60km/h zone on the R463 at Parteen, County Clare
92km/h a 50km/h zone on the R408 at Rathcoffey, County Kildare

According to gardai, nearly 200 vehicles have been seized for a range of offences under the Road Traffic Act, 1961. 

An Garda Síochána is appealing to all those who will be taking to the roads over the Christmas period to slow down, drive within the speed limit and at an appropriate speed for the weather, traffic and road conditions.  Take extra care and time to complete your journey. 

They are also appealing to all drivers to never drive under the influence of any intoxicant.