An Garda Síochána will run a large-scale roads policing operation over the August bank holiday, from Thursday morning, 30 July 2026, until Tuesday morning, 4 August 2026. The campaign will focus on the four lifesaver offences: speeding, driving under the influence of an intoxicant, using a mobile phone while driving, and not wearing a seatbelt.

With the long weekend bringing staycations, visits to family and friends, and festivals nationwide, roads are expected to be especially busy — and, with that, the risk of serious or fatal collisions increases.

As of Tuesday morning, 28 July 2026, 105 people had died on Irish roads. Last year recorded the highest death toll in a decade, and the 2026 total to date is 13 higher than at the same point in 2025.

Gardaí report a worrying rise in non-compliance with road traffic laws, reflected in growing detections and enforcement activity.

In the first half of 2026, officers arrested an average of one driver every hour for drug or drink driving — more than 4,600 arrests between 1 January and 30 June.

Over the same period, more than 119,000 fixed charge notices (FCNs) were issued for speeding, over 14,500 for using a mobile phone while driving, and over 3,000 for not wearing a seatbelt. More than 18,000 vehicles were seized for offences including no insurance, no driving licence, no NCT/CVRT, or for unaccompanied learner driving.

Road Safety Authority (RSA) analysis shows that up to 26 July 2026, over a quarter of road deaths involved people aged 16–25. More than 40% of fatalities occurred at weekends, and 57% of fatal crashes happened on roads with an 80kph speed limit or higher.

Garda data covering January 2021 to end-June 2026 indicates persistent law-breaking: over half a million checkpoints were conducted; there were more than 1,000,000 speeding detections; in excess of 150,000 detections for mobile phone and seatbelt offences; over 150,000 vehicle seizures under Section 41 of the Road Traffic Act; and almost 90,000 learner/novice drivers received FCNs. Nearly 50,000 drivers were arrested for intoxicated driving in that period.

Drivers are urged to slow down and obey limits, never drive under the influence, always wear a seatbelt and avoid mobile distractions to help ensure everyone gets home safely.

Assistant Commissioner Denis Ferry, Roads Policing and Community Engagement, said: "The current level of fatalities on Irish roads and the tragic increase we've observed over the past few years is very concerning. Each fatality is not just a number; it is a person with a family, friends, colleagues and a community. "These rising fatalities are symptomatic of a bigger and very worrying concern around road safety in general. We are repeatedly seeing high levels of detections and enforcement activity by our members due to sustained non-compliance with road traffic laws by road users.

"Road safety needs to be a priority for everyone. The August Bank Holiday weekend is traditionally very busy on our roads. Our message is simple: slow down, put your mobile phone away, wear your seatbelt and never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. These simple actions will help save a life this weekend."

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Seán Canney, said, "The August Bank Holiday weekend is a wonderful time for everyone to enjoy. When you are out and about this weekend, I would urge you to take care, slow down, pay attention to your surroundings and do not take unnecessary risks. Too many families and communities have already experienced devastating loss this year, with road fatalities higher in the first half of 2026 than during the same period last year. Please make safety your number one priority. Everyone has a right to feel safe on our roads – let's work together to do that."

Michael Rowland, Director of Research, Standards and Assurance, Road Safety Authority, commented: "With the August bank holiday weekend approaching, we are urging everyone using our roads to take extra care and make safety their top priority. This year has seen a deeply concerning increase in the number of people losing their lives on Irish roads.

"Overall, 57% of fatalities occurred on higher speed roads with a speed limit of 80km/h or greater. Tragically, there has been a significant increase in fatalities among young people. Those aged 16-25 years account for 27% of all deaths this year. Weekends are also a problem, with two in five of all fatalities occurring on Saturday and Sunday, while one quarter of fatalities occurred between 12pm-4pm and a further 24% between 8pm-12am.

"The choices we make behind the wheel matter. We are asking all road users, particularly drivers, to exercise caution when using the roads this weekend. We know from coroner data that alcohol plays a major role in fatal collisions. We are asking drivers who are out socialising this weekend to leave the keys at home, identify a designated driver to get home safely, and never drink and drive. Also, never get into a car with a driver who has consumed alcohol. Finally, remember you may still be impaired the morning after a night out, so bear this in mind if you are thinking about driving the next morning. If each of us takes personal responsibility for our behaviour, we can help ensure that everyone gets to their destination safely and that no family has to endure the heartbreak of a loved one not coming home this bank holiday weekend."