Gardai will be out in force this bank holiday weekend as they look to keep motorists safe.
There will be increased garda checkpoints and speed checks as officers attempt to stop the worrying rise in deaths on Irish roads.
A staggering 60 people have tragically been killed on our roads so far this year, a 17% jump from the same period in 2019.
During the operation this weekend, gardai will be looking out for four main offences in particular.
Chief Superintendent Paul Cleary said: "We will be conducting enforcement operations around the four main lifesaver offences which are: Speeding, driving under the influence of an intoxicant, seatbelts and driving whilst on a mobile phone."
Superintendent Cleary added: "Of concern is the number of people arrested so far this year for driving under the influence of an intoxicant; either alcohol or drugs.
Notwithstanding the recent Covid-19 restrictions with reduced traffic on our roads and the closure of licenced premises, we have still seen 1,153 people detected for driving under the influence of an intoxicant, since the 27th March 2020.
"In addition, Roads Policing members are still detecting motorists driving in excess of the speed limits, not wearing seatbelts and driving while using mobile phones.
"This bank holiday weekend there will be increased Garda activity and roads policing enforcement; the primary focus of this operation is to save lives and prevent serious collisions.
"We want people to enjoy this bank holiday weekend as best they can in difficult circumstances, but we also want every road user to act responsibly and stay safe when using the road.”
Ahead of the June bank holiday weekend Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr. Shane Ross, said: "I am greatly alarmed at the rise in road deaths this year, particularly at the increase in pedestrian deaths.
"Road safety is a public health issue and the way we all behave on the road determines whether people live, suffer injury or die.
"I am appealing to all road users to please take a closer look at how you behave on the road and to take greater responsibility and practice good road safety habits.
"This means drivers being alert to danger and slowing down and pedestrians walking on the right-hand side of the road towards oncoming traffic if there are no footpaths.”
