Stern message on the use of mobile phones while driving
2025 marked a bad year on Irish roads with 181 people losing their lives to date this year, including seven people in Meath and as we enter the busy Christmas period, people are being urged to redouble their efforts with regards to road safety.
Inspector Fergus Mulhern, head of the Roads Policing Unit for the Meath/Westmeath Garda Division has highlighted several areas of concern for Gardai including the use of mobile phones while driving and warned that even having a 'quick look' at the phone can have serious consequences.
"We are urging people to try to use develop self-discipline when it comes to text messages. In the time it takes for a person to look down and read a message, they can travel much further than they realise. If you look at your phone for three seconds in a car going 100Km per hour, you will cover 83 metres. A lot can change in front of your vehicle in that time and distance.
"I am hearing of more collisions where drivers are veering onto the opposite side of the road. This is most likely due to reading text messages. The consequences for that 'quick look' at your phone can be death, serious injury, or a court appearance resulting in loss of a driving licence or prison time."
Once again, drivers are asked to plan their nights out at Christmas. "If you bring your car, there is a greater chance that you will be tempted to drive it home. By getting a lift into the pub or house party you take away that option for later that night," said Insp Mulhern. If convicted you face losing your licence for four years resulting in a serious impact on a person's life and their family. More than 240 drink driving arrests have been made this year to date.
Speeding is cited as the biggest contributing factor to road deaths in Ireland and plays a part in one-third of all fatal collisions. "We really need to get across that the speed limit is a maximum, not a target, and drivers must adjust speed according to conditions," he said.
People should also be aware of issues like low sun, which can be blinding. Motorists should also check their tyres for thread depth and air pressure and allow for extra stopping distance in icy conditions.
The increasing use of e-scooters by young people is another cause of concern. "They are a cheap and effective modes of transport but a person riding a scooter has very little protection. The injuries causing by collision involving these vehicles can be life changing. It is not just illegal for a person under 16 year old to ride in a public place, but it is very dangerous. The recent reports from Temple Street Children’s Hospital prove this.
"It is very important that people are aware that any e-scooter that does not conform to the regulations, for example; one fitted with a seat or that can travel over 20km/hr can be immediately seized by Gardaí."
Defensive driving goes beyond basic rules and "is about observation, maintaining safe distances, and adapting to weather, traffic, and unexpected situations.
This is something that the 'Bike safe' programme focuses on. Bikers can sign up to learn defensive riding from experienced Advanced Garda motorcyclists.
Insp Mulhern said 2025 has been a bad year for fatal collisions. "It has a terrible impact on everyone involved. My heart goes out of everyone who has an empty seat at the table this Christmas."
He added that the Roads Policing Unit is committed to reducing these numbers through enforcement, driver education and infrastructure improvement.