An Garda Síochána has commenced its June bank holiday weekend roads policing operation today, Thursday 28th May 2026. Running until Tuesday 2nd June 2026, the targeted campaign focuses on enhancing road safety and reducing serious injury or fatal collisions during one of the busiest periods on Irish roads.

In conjunction with the Road Safety Authority (RSA), Gardaí are reminding all motorists never to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. To date in 2026, 69 people have lost their lives in road traffic collisions in Ireland—representing an increase of four deaths compared to the same period last year. The warning follows 2025 recording the highest number of Irish road fatalities in a decade.

Garda analysis of the last four June bank holiday weekends reveals distinct high-risk patterns for road users:

• Peak Collision Times: The risk of a road traffic collision is at its highest between 12:00pm midday and 9:00pm throughout the long weekend.

• Intoxicated Driving Arrests: The highest volume of arrests for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol occurs between 9:00pm and 3:00am.

• Age Demographics: Over 40% of drivers arrested for drug driving in 2025 and 2026 to date were aged between 21 and 30. For alcohol-related driving arrests, 29% of those processed fell into the 35 to 45 age bracket.

Every Garda member on duty this weekend will participate in road enforcement activity. Alongside intoxicated driving, officers will rigorously target "Lifesaver" offences, including speeding, mobile phone use while driving, and non-compliance with seatbelt regulations.

The RSA has highlighted new research on the persistent role of alcohol in severe collisions. An analysis of surviving drivers involved in fatal and serious injury collisions between 2021 and 2025 showed that 384 (7%) tested positive for alcohol. Nearly half of these drivers (44%) were seriously injured themselves, while the collisions resulted in 38 fatalities and 264 serious injuries to other road users.

Of the surviving drivers who tested positive for alcohol:

• 84% were male.

• 57% were aged between 16 and 35.

• 54% were involved in collisions between 8:00pm and 4:00am.

• 51% were involved in weekend collisions (Saturdays and Sundays). Separate RSA analysis of coronial data for driver fatalities between 2016 and 2020 revealed that 35% of drivers with available toxicology results tested positive for alcohol. Of these fatalities, 93% were male and 76% were under the age of 45. These incidents predominantly occurred on rural roads (75% on roads with speed limits of 80km/h or higher), at night (57% between 10:00pm and 6:00am), and over the weekend (nearly 80% between Friday and Monday).

Chief Superintendent David Harrington, Garda National Roads Policing Bureau, said: "Regrettably, we are still seeing a high number of drivers getting behind the wheel after consuming drugs and alcohol. Last month, 165 people were arrested for driving while intoxicated during the May bank holiday weekend. This is not only unacceptable and dangerous behaviour, it is also against the law.

"Everyone has the right to get home safe this weekend. We are appealing to all road users to never, ever drive after taking drugs or drinking alcohol. If you are socialising this weekend, plan your journey home in advance. Use taxis and public transport, or organise a lift home with friends and family. If you are detected driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you will be arrested. And if you are convicted, you will lose your licence."

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Seán Canney, added: "As the June Bank holiday approaches, I want to appeal to all road users to take extra care and to practice good road safety habits. It is everyone's responsibility to make our roads a safer place. This means slowing down, putting the mobile away, wearing your seatbelt on every trip, never driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and watching out for vulnerable road users. We are all enjoying the fine weather and with that more of us are out and about walking, cycling and socialising, young and old alike. It is my hope that this appeal reminds road users across the country to be extra vigilant as we all make journeys to visit loved ones and friends. Everyone is entitled to feel safe on our roads."

Anne Graham, Chairperson, Road Safety Authority, commented: "The research shows that alcohol continues to be a factor in fatal and serious injury collisions on our roads and the findings point to clear patterns – with alcohol-related collisions more likely to happen late at night, in the early morning, at weekends and on rural roads.

"The June bank holiday will see more people travelling and every road user has a part to play in preventing fatalities and serious injuries. Alcohol impairs judgement, reaction time and decision-making, even on short journeys. You may also still be over the limit the morning after. I'm appealing to young male drivers in particular to never drink and drive. Do not take a risk that could change your life or someone else's forever."