The Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy has expressed his concern and disappointment at the level of fatalities on our roads over the St. Patricks Bank Holiday week-end.
The Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy has today expressed his concern and disappointment at the level of fatalities on our roads over the holiday week-end.
Speaking at Garda Headquarters, Commissioner Murphy stated that the number of people being killed on our roads was unnecessary and unacceptable and called on all road users to support the work of An Garda Siochana and the Road Safety Authority by adjusting behaviour for the safety of all.
The Commissioner again highlighted the relationship between driver behaviour and road safety and emphasised that changes to driving behaviour will save lives. The vast majority of road traffic collisions, deaths and injuries, are preventable. Therefore we ask people to take responsibility for their own actions and behaviour. We ask them to slow down and take care on our roads.
Members of An Garda Siochana are working with other stake-holders and particularly the Road Safety Authority with a view to changing driver behaviour through education and advice whilst also patrolling our roads and enforcing the law in an intelligence led manner. It is vital that individuals face up to their responsibilities and stop reckless behaviour which endangers themselves, their passengers and other innocent road users.
While reaffirming his commitment to securing safer roads for all users through partnership and the support of the community, Commissioner Murphy stressed that An Garda Siochana will rigorously enforce road traffic legislation to secure safer roads and reduce the risk of serious collisions.
Statistics over the period 00.01 on Friday 13 March to 24. 00 hours on Tuesday 17 March 2009,
Gardai dealt with the following:
346 incidents of suspected drink driving.
8 fatalities on the road. (3 for same period last year).
7 collision involving serious injury.
72 incidents of dangerous driving.
Total number of fatalities for March 2008 was 19.
March 2009 to date (18th March) we have 21 fatalities.
Total fatalities on Irish roads to date is 55 which is down 13 on the same period last year.
Garda Press Office
1215hrs, 18 March 2009.
