Gardai warning drivers over checkpoint and speed van location WhatsApp groups this Bank Holiday Weekend
Gardai have reissued a warning they gave during the first Bank Holiday of the year ahead of this weekend
This October Bank Holiday, gardai are once again warning drivers about the sharing and creating of Whatsapp groups which inform other drivers of the whereabouts of checkpoint and speed van locations.
Back in February, the Garda Siochana Facebook group said: “We're not going about our business to make money but to catch impaired drivers, criminals, speeding vehicles that maim and injure” and that their “focus is on checkpoints and speed detections”.
They continued: “One of our lads got a sniff of a local WhatsApp Group aimed at sharing local alerts. This group may include flood warnings etc but is predominantly centred around Garda activities in the environs.
"If you're part of such a group, maybe leave it and change your behaviour so that you don't need the warnings. We do what we do in the hope of knocking on one less door making a notification of a loss of a loved one.”
A Garda Roads Policing Operation is taking place throughout the October Bank Holiday Weekend from Thursday October 22 until Tuesday October 27.
To date this year, 151 people have lost their lives in road traffic collisions on Irish roads and of the road fatalities so far this year, 29 were pedestrians.
With the clocks going back on Sunday morning also, gardai are reminding drivers to be extra vigilant for pedestrians and cyclists while driving and for everyone using the road to make sure they are visible during these darker hours.
“This weekend's road safety enforcement operation focuses on the four lifesaver offences in an effort to ensure that all road users get home safe.
“Road safety needs to be a priority for everyone. Slow down and stick to the speed limit. Never drive under the influence of drink or drugs. Wear your seatbelt and don’t get distracted by mobile devices when you are driving. You can help get another person home safe this weekend.”
Assistant Commissioner for Roads Policing and Community Engagement, Denis Ferry, said: "As the long evenings draw in, we’re asking all road users to be mindful of each other over the October bank holiday weekend. This is a busy time of the year with the start of the school mid-term break, when many people attend Halloween-themed events.
"Motorists need to be aware of those walking on our streets and roads, and pedestrians should make sure they’re visible, especially as daylight time decreases. As the seasonal weather changes, we remind motorists to slow down and to always choose a speed that is appropriate for the driving conditions. We urge motorists to never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, to wear your seatbelt and put away any distractions while driving such as mobile phones.”
Minister of State with responsibility for Road Safety, Seán Canney TD, added: “As darker winter nights approach I am asking all road users to prioritise safety while making their journeys. In particular, I urge all drivers to be vigilant of vulnerable road users, especially pedestrians and I urge them to take every precaution while driving to safeguard the lives of others.
"Tragically between 2021 and 2025 RSA figures indicate that 178 pedestrians have lost their lives on our roads with approximately 1,700 seriously injured. This weekend and throughout the darker winter months I urge all road users to prioritise arriving safely and to take all necessary precautions while using the roads. This means ensuring that your vehicle is well lit up, that you wear high visibility clothing while out walking or cycling, that you slow down and drive at a safe speed taking account of road and weather conditions. It also means that under no circumstances should we drive while distracted or under the influence of an intoxicant.
"This weekend may bring difficult weather conditions, please take this into account while planning your journey and to pay close attention to any warnings or advisories issued by our emergency services, the RSA and local authorities."
Sam Waide, Chief Executive of the Road Safety Authority, said: "Unfortunately, we invariably see an increase in serious injuries among pedestrians in the autumn and winter. With the clock going back one hour this Sunday, the RSA is advising drivers to slow down and look out for pedestrians and other vulnerable road users, particularly when travelling during the darker mornings and evenings.”