The recently published reports by the RSA and Garda Siochana on road fatalities have highlighted drink driving as one of the main factors in the increase in road deaths. An Garda Siochana and the RSA will commence drink driving enforcement and increased education initiatives in July and August with the aim of targeting this behaviour on our roads.
Since June 1st 2015 to date 184 people have lost their lives on our roads. July and August are high risk months when driving on our roads, with a lot more traffic as people drive long distances for holidays and to visit family and friends. Gardaí have said that motorists can expect to see more checkpoints, breath testing and arrests for drink driving over the coming months.
Drink driving detections in Donegal have increased, with one motorist being detected over the legal limit every day on average. Drink driving has again become a major challenge and motorists do not seem to be getting the message that it is wrong and they have reverted back to the old ways and drink driving is becoming too common. Drink driving is no longer socially acceptable and is a serious offence that can be tackled with the support of the community. The Gardaí have urged people who see someone who have been drinking getting behind the wheel to drive a vehicle, to report it immediately to them. It is important that everyone takes personal responsibility and not sit back and make the easy decision to look the other way.
Brian O’Donnell, Road Safety Officer said that - “Donegal has featured in recent reports for the wrong reasons. Donegal has a lot to offer with groups and individuals actively promoting Donegal as a Tourism destination and trying to attract visitors to our County, but it is unfortunate that the image of Donegal being portrayed is that of our roads being unsafe. Too many families and communities have lost loved ones in road traffic collisions and for others involved in collisions they have had to cope with life changing injuries. Road traffic collisions are unexpected but avoidable and are traumatic events occurring in a split second but with consequences that last a lifetime. Too often motorists take a risk and make the wrong decision. Is that risk worth a life”.
With the Donegal Senior team and Minor team playing in their respective Ulster Finals on Sunday the number of people travelling will increase considerably. The main messages for the busy period ahead on our roads are very clear – never ever drive after consuming alcohol or drugs or travel in a car driven by someone who has consumed alcohol or drugs, always obey the speed limits, reduce speed in inclement weather conditions and allow plenty of time to arrive safely at your destination, always wear your seatbelt, never use a mobile phone while driving and beware of driver fatigue.
To date in 2016, 89 people have been killed on the roads – 9 more than the same period in 2015.
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