Culture
23 Mar 23

Driving offences on St. Patrick's Day weekend 2023

Despite the fact that there were no fatal car accidents over the St. Patrick's Day weekend, 41 people have died on our roads this year. This is an increase from previous years.

On this year's St. Patrick's Day weekend, Garda officers noticed many traffic offences, including almost 200 arrests for driving under the influence. According to the latest Garda statistics, there have luckily been no road fatalities in that period.

Statistics also show that around 1800 drivers were detected breaking the speed limit. One motorist was caught on the R154 Batterjohn, Trim, Co. Meath, doing just under 120 km/h in a 60 km/h zone. Another driver was caught driving 181 km/h in a 120 km/h zone on the M8 Clonmore South, Cahir, Co. Tipperary.

To ensure safety over the March Bank Holiday, a Garda operation was put in place from March 16th, 2023, until the early morning of March 21st, 2023. Although no fatal collisions were recorded during this period, there were 12 serious collisions resulting in 17 serious and life-threatening injuries.

Over the March Bank Holiday period we carried out 678 checkpoints nationwide.

🔵 196 people were arrested for driving under the influence (136 alcohol/60 drugs)

🔵 1,800 drivers were detected for speeding.

🔵 Go-Safe clocked the speed of 456,287 vehicles.#SaferRoads

— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) March 23, 2023

Other fixed-charge offences that occurred during this period included 152 people using a mobile phone while driving, 99 unaccompanied learner drivers, and 55 people driving without a seatbelt. In addition, nearly 400 vehicles were detained under Section 41 of the Road Traffic Act for offences such as unaccompanied learner drivers, driving without a licence, driving without insurance, and driving without a tax.

Speaking about the latest statistics, Deputy Commissioner Paula Hilman of Roads Policing and Community Engagement said:

"We are certainly relieved there was no loss of life on our roads over the St. Patrick’s weekend this year. We are, however, very mindful there were twelve serious injury road traffic collisions and of the impact they have had on both the individuals involved and their families."

"As is reflected in the number of checkpoints, detections and arrests over the weekend, An Garda Síochána remains committed to ensuring compliance with road traffic legislation to improve safety on our roads."

"We are committed to our work with the Road Safety Authority and partners to deliver Vision Zero on our roads."

Further information, as well as the full Garda report, can be found here.