Gardaí reveal 12 serious crashes took place over 'very busy' June Bank Holiday weekend

Twelve serious collisions including one fatal collision took place over the June Bank Holiday weekend. 

That's according to An Garda Síochána, which today (June 9) released a report on a roads policing operation which took place during the June Bank Holiday Weekend from 7am on June 1 to 7am on June 6. 

The twelve collisions reportedly resulted in twelve serious and life-threatening injuries. 

A total of 78 people have died on Irish roads so far in 2023, compared to 70 at the same time last year. 

Over the Bank Holiday period, An Garda Síochána carried out 1,075 Mandatory Intoxicant Testing (MIT) checkpoints and 5,119 roadside drug and alcohol tests, which led to 160 arrests for driving under the influence of an intoxicant.

Garda Roads Policing Units were out detecting those speeding and issued over 930 on the spot Fixed Charge Penalty Notices for speeding offences.

Of the 693,019 vehicles checked for speeding by Go-Safe nationwide, 2,623 drivers were detected for speeding.

Top speeds included 138km/h in a 50km/h zone in Limerick, 114km/h in a 60km/h zone in Waterford and 188km/h in an 80km/h zone in Kildare. 

In addition, 328 vehicles were detained under Section 41 of the Road Traffic Act for offences such as Unaccompanied Learner Driver (87), no Insurance (117) and no Tax (124). 

Among other "alarming detections" made by officers, 255 people were caught using mobile phones while driving, 75 weren't wearing seatbelts and 100 were found to be unaccompanied learner drivers. 

Assistant Commissioner Hilman of the Roads Policing and Community Engagement Garda National Roads Policing Bureau said, "Working together with our partners to raise public awareness of the importance of road safety strengthens the capacity of Gardaí nationwide in keeping all road users safe.
 
"The Bank Holiday weekend was a very busy period on Irish roads and as our data shows, Gardaí were out enforcing the law through regular checkpoints, road side testing for alcohol and or drugs, checking for speed.
 
"While there were some alarming detections, we want to acknowledge the largely positive support of road users in keeping people safe, particularly the most vulnerable such as cyclists and pedestrians.
 
"This help is required in order to avoid a higher number of fatal and serious injury collisions on our roads.
 
"One more death is simply one too many, and can be avoided if we all work together. Our thoughts and prayers are with every family who suffers a loss of a loved one on our roads." 

Other notable top speeds detected in each speed zone include:
 
• 138km/h in a 50km/h zone on the R510 Dock Road, Limerick
• 129km/h in a 50km/h zone on the N3 Stramatt, Virginia, Co. Cavan
• 111km/h in a 50km/h zone on the N6 Baile An Phoill, Go. Galway
• 114km/h in a 60km/h zone on the N25 Lemybrien, Waterford
• 116km/h in a 60km/h zone on the N11 Ferrycarrig, Wexford
• 188km/h in a 80km/h zone on the R403 Barberstown, Straffan Co. Kildare
• 116km/h in a 80km/h zone on the N2 Knockronaghan, Emyvale Co. Monaghan
 
An Garda Síochána continues to appeal to all road users to never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, to slow down and to always choose a speed that is appropriate to the driving conditions, to wear your seatbelts, never use a mobile phone when driving.