A staggering 60 people have tragically been killed on our roads so far this year, a 17% jump from the same period in 2019.
Gardai have said that the number of pedestrian deaths on Irish roads also doubled to 18 in 2020.
Provisional collision figures for the year show that there has been a 17% increase in the number of fatal crashes and a 9% increase in road deaths in comparison to this time last year.
Gardai and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) are renewing their appeal ahead of the June bank holiday weekend for road users to take extra care.
A staggering 60 people have been killed in 56 fatal collisions up to May 26, compared to 55 deaths in 48 fatal collisions up to the same date in 2019.
At a press briefing this morning, Chief Superintendent Paul Cleary of the Garda National Roads Policing Unit said: “In light of the increase in road deaths this year, An Garda Siobhan’s will launch a Roads Policing enforcement operation this coming June Bank Holiday weekend.
“The operation will concentrate on the four ‘Lifesaver’ offenses of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, speeding, non seatbelt wearing and using a mobile phone while driving.
“Of concern is the number of people arrested so far this year for driving under the influence of an intoxicant either drugs or alcohol.”
Despite the reduced traffic with Covid-19 restrictions, Gardai have seen 1,153 people detected for driving under the influence of drunk and drugs since March 27, 2020.
