177 arrested for driving under the influence and 2,600 caught speeding over Easter bank holiday weekend

One driver was detected driving at 193kmh in a 120kmh zone on the M1 at Bellewstown, Co Meath.

Gardaí carried out a major roads policing operation from 7am on Thursday, March 28 to 7am on Tuesday, April 2, in the wake of ever-increasing road fatality figures.

Three further fatalities on Irish roads over the bank holiday period brought to 58 the number of people who have died this year – 16 more than the same period last year.

Thirteen serious collisions took place over the weekend causing serious or life-threatening injuries.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 2nd April 2024

There were more than 220 fixed charge offences for using a mobile phone while driving and 77 for not wearing a seatbelt.

A driver on the Tonglee Road in Dublin 5 was detected going 126kmh in a 50kmh zone while a speed of 104kmh in a 60kmh zone was detected in Buncrana, Co Donegal.

Other notable top speeds included 124kmh in an 80kmh zone ion the R458 at Kilcolgan, Co Galway and 136kmh in a 100kmh zone on the N25 at Kilmacthomas in Co Waterford.

"The past weekend was another very busy period on Irish roads, and a lot of people will be on the move again this week with many schools off for the midterm break,” Chief Superintendent Jane Humphries of the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau said.

"Gardaí nationwide continue do all that they can to ensure that road users are safe and that those who break road traffic laws are detected, but the issues on our roads at present require the attention of every single person."

Gardaí carried out more than 5,000 roadside drug and alcohol tests. A quarter of the 177 arrests made between Thursday and Monday morning were between the hours of 8am and 2pm.

"Every driver is responsible for their own driving behaviour – there is no excuse whatsoever to get behind the wheel of a car under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs,” Chief Supt Humphries said.

“Keep your eyes always on the road - there is no valid reason to drive while distracted by your phone and that includes swiping on apps or paying attention to a map on your device.

"We are seeing some extremely dangerous driving behaviour that must be stopped. Slow down. Be patient and be mindful of your actions while in control of the vehicle you’re driving. Responsible driving habits keep yourself and other road users safe. It is as simple as that.”