Gardaí and RSA launch St Patrick's Bank Holiday Road Safety Appeal
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) and An Garda Síochána are appealing to the public to use the roads with care over the St Patrick’s Bank Holiday weekend. This appeal comes against the backdrop of high numbers of road fatalities in 2024.
An Garda Síochána and The Road Safety Authority (RSA) are appealing to all road users to take action and use the roads with care over the St Patrick’s Bank Holiday weekend.
The appeal comes against the backdrop of high numbers of road fatalities in 2024 and following the death on Wednesday of young Castlebar man Kacper Swierkowski.
The popular 18 year-old Leaving Cert student in Davitt College, who was on his motorcycle, was fatally injured at Clonkeen on the R309 shortly after 5pm.
Kacper had a large circle of friends and Cllr Ger Deere said the people of Castlebar were shocked and saddened by the terrible tragedy.
Provisional figures show that 42 lives have been lost on Irish roads to date this year, three more than at this time last year.
The appeal comes as nearly one in four (23%) drivers have admitted they may have been over the limit when driving the morning after a night out, according to a Driver Attitude & Behaviour survey.
The research, commissioned by the RSA, also found that one in four motorists believe that driving short distances after having a drink is acceptable.
An Garda Síochána and the RSA are reminding all road users to never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Ahead of the national holiday, motorists and pedestrians are reminded to plan ahead and organise a safe away home ahead of celebrating over the coming days.
This means leaving the car keys at home and agreeing on a designated driver, booking a taxi, or taking public transport. Pedestrians are being cautioned not to walk home after a night out, especially in areas where there is low visibility.
Assistant Garda Commissioner Paula Hilman who is in charge of Roads Policing stated an extensive nationwide roads policing operation will be in place.
“Enforcing road traffic laws is a core element of road safety, and Gardaí work all year round to detect road traffic offences which are known to increase the risk of death or serious injury on our roads,” she said. “The reality is that this risk further increases during bank holiday weekends. We all have a personal responsibility to prevent road fatalities and serious injury road traffic collisions, and we must work together.” She stressed Garda Síochána are urging people to never, ever get behind the wheel of a car while under the influence of an intoxicant be that alcohol or drugs.
“Please slow down and drive at an appropriate speed, always wear your seatbelt and do not allow yourself to be distracted by a phone while driving,” Asst Commsr Hilman said. "There are consequences to these actions and poor driver behaviour – some more lasting than others. You could lose your licence and face significant financial penalty, but far worse is the possibility of seriously injuring or killing someone else on the road. We appeal to everyone to look out for one another on the roads this St. Patrick’s weekend.” To coincide with its Bank Holiday appeal, the RSA is encouraging people to speak up and express their concerns about their loved ones’ behaviour on the road.
The RSA’s ‘SAY IT’ campaign urges people to ‘SAY IT’ when they see any worrying behaviour. The campaign targets girlfriends, boyfriends, partners, sisters, teammates, classmates, sons, daughters to speak up, and will run over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Meanwhile, Minister of State at the Department of Transport Jack Chambers appealed to people not to get behind the wheel if they have been celebrating heavily the night before.
"I am deeply concerned by the findings that people have admitted to driving while they may have been over the limit after a night out,” he said. “This bank holiday weekend I am urging motorists to make responsible choices before getting behind the wheel after celebrating St Patrick’s Day.
This St Patrick’s Bank Holiday Weekend drivers are also being reminded that the RSA and participating Applegreen service stations are providing free cups of coffee to motorists to combat driver fatigue. The offer is available from 2pm-to-8pm from Friday March 15 to Monday, March 18.
