Drivers urged to remain cautious on Waterford Roads this weekend

Minister of State Jack Chambers has said Ireland must break the shocking trend of rising road deaths as fatalities outpace previous years. Garda figures show that the number of road deaths in 2022 has already been matched with more than two months still left in this year.

The Road Safety Authority and gardaí have launched a call for road users to watch out for pedestrians over the Bank Holiday Weekend.

Garda figures show that the number of road deaths in 2022 has already been matched with more than two months still left in this year.

Almost 6,000 people have been arrested for driving under the influence of drink or drugs so far this year. New research shows 38 pedestrians have been killed on our roads so far this year with analysis suggesting pedestrian fatalities could hit the highest level in 15 years.

Inspector Niall Daly from the Waterford Roads Policing Department says road deaths often rise once clocks go back - which will happen this Sunday.

"We also know that during bank holidays, and with the clocks going back at 2:00 A: M on Sunday morning that has the effect of reducing pedestrian visibility.

Those two things combined, the fact it is a bank holiday weekend, it is going to be darker, and the worry is children are off from school next week, they will be trick-or-treating, they will be out and about.

"We are warning people to be extra careful this weekend. People are busy planning their bank holiday weekend and traveling long distances, they might be a bit more relaxed as they are looking forward to the weekend and they are not paying attention.

"Take extra care and be aware that these times show a greater chance of being involved in a serious accident."

Bank Holiday Weekend periods are one of the busiest periods on Irish roads, they are also one of the periods where road users are at the highest risk of being involved in a fatal or serious road traffic collision.

To date (27/10/2023), 155 people have lost their lives in Road Traffic Collisions on Irish roads.

• 1 in 4 (38) Road deaths have been pedestrians to date in 2023o 43 pedestrians were killed on Irish roads in 2022.o This trend indicates that pedestrian fatality figures for 2023 are estimated to be their highest in 15 years.• 1 in 3 (51) road deaths have been people under the age of 25, 11 were pedestrians• 21 Road deaths have been over the age of 70, 10 were pedestrians• 155 Deaths on Irish roads is 36 greater than 2022 and 43 greater than 2019.• 155 Deaths occurred in 145 Road Traffic Collisions• 93 (2/3) of the Road Traffic Collisions were single-vehicle collisions.

To end September 2023 An Garda Síochána has issued to the most risky drivers

• Excess of 120,000 FCNs for speeding• Approximately 4,000 FCNs for non-wearing of seatbelts• Approximately 13,000 FCNs for holding a mobile phone

There have been in excess of 6,000 Driving While Intoxicated Offences recorded on PULSE (Drivers arrested on suspicion of Drink/ Drug Driving). Drug Driving detections account for over 35% of all driving while intoxicated detections to date in 2023.An Garda Síochána continues to appeal to all road users, for whatever reason you will be using the roads this weekend, whatever your mode of transport may be, to stay safe on the roads this weekend.

An Garda Síochána enforcement operation over the Bank Holiday weekend which commenced at 0700hrs Thursday 26th October 2023 will continue until 0700hrs Wednesday 1st November 2023.

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