18/03/2009

Gardaí Commissioner 'Disappointed' With Drivers

The Gardaí Commssioner Fachtna Murphy has expressed his concern and disappointment at the level of fatalities on Ireland's 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 to help road safety.

During the bank holiday weekend, from Friday to Tuesday, Gardai dealt with 346 incidents of suspected drink driving, eight fatalities on the road compared with three for same period last year, seven collisions involving serious injury and 72 incidents of dangerous driving.

Commissioner Murphy said: "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.

"It is vital that individuals face up to their responsibilities and stop reckless behaviour which endangers themselves, their passengers and other innocent road users."

Commissioner Murphy further stressed that Garda would rigorously enforce road traffic legislation to secure safer roads and reduce the risk of serious collisions.

(DW/BMcC)

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