Gardai pledge Easter checkpoint blitz

The Gardai are promising they will be out in force in Meath over the Easter weekend with the aim of improving road safety with additional officers deployed at checkpoints throughout the county. There will be a particular emphasis on speeding and drink-driving, according to Supt Michael Devine of Navan Garad Station who warned the public that if they are going out for a few drinks, to be sure there is a designated driver or arrange alternative transport. He said that while more people were beginning to 'cop on' that it was stupid and dangerous to drink and drive and the figures for such offences were dropping, there were still a few who don't listen to the warning and are prepared to take chances. He said that inappropriate speed was the single greatest contributory factor to road deaths and serious injuries and he urged drivers to slow down and to remember that a speed limit is a legal maximum, not a target, and that it may not be appropriate when other conditions are taken into account, such as road type, weather conditions and traffic volumes. Over the Easter holiday period, drivers are urged to be vigilant and to take all necessary steps to ensure their safety and the safety of other road-users. Motorists should give plenty of time for journeys and not drive if they are tired and they should pay attention to the speed limit signs posted on all roads, but especially on entering built-up areas. Cyclists and pedestrians are asked to wear appropriate clothing during hours of darkness and cyclists should ensure they have the correct lights and that they are in working order. Motorists are asked to be conscious of cyclists and pedestrians using the roads. Over the Easter Bank holiday period of 2009, 296 incidents of driving while intoxicated were recorded on national roads as well as 2,186 incidents of speeding, 208 incidents of non-use of seatbelts and 281 incidents of driving while holding a mobile phone. The dangers of speeding will again be addressed towards the end of April as a European-wide operation is scheduled to take place aimed at detecting speeding offences. This operation will run from 19th April to 25th April 2010 and Garda enforcement activity will be conducted on sections of the road network that have a propensity for speed-related collisions. This weekend, a drink-driving enforcement operation, called Operation Surround, will take place and will involve both traffic corps and local district resources. During each night of the operation, a major town or centre in the Meath division will be selected for intense Garda attention and mandatory alcohol testing (MAT) checkpoints will be set up, according to Gardai.