Motorist detected driving over 200km/hr in the West during Christmas period
A garda of Roads Policing operates a speed detection device. Picture Colin Keegan, Collins, Dublin.
An Garda Síochána carried out a dedicated road traffic enforcement operation throughout the 2025 Christmas period which began on Monday 1st December 2025 and continued until Monday, 5th January 2026.
During this period, there were 26 fatalities on our roads and over 70 serious collisions that resulted in a number of people receiving serious and life-threatening injuries.
During the course of the operation, An Garda Síochána carried out nearly 10,000 checkpoints, both statutory Mandatory Intoxicant Testing (MIT) and regular, high-visibility policing checkpoints.
765 people were arrested during this period for driving under the influence of an intoxicant (56% primarily alcohol and 44% primarily drugs).
Nearly 26,500 drivers were detected for speeding offences by An Garda Síochána, Mobile Safety Camera Vans and Static Safety Cameras by our Road Safety Partners, GoSafe.
Gardaí seized nearly 3,000 vehicles for a range of offences under the Road Traffic Act, 1961, 59% primarily for no insurance.
In addition, nearly 1,700 Fixed Charge Notices were issued for the offence of using a mobile phone while driving and over 450 Fixed Charge Notices were issued to vehicle users for non-wearing of seatbelts.
Notable speeds during the road traffic enforcement operation included:
- 201km/hr in a 120km/hr zone on the M18, Kinvara, Co. Galway
An Garda Síochána is appealing to every road user to put their safety first this year.
