Gardai will be launching a major road safety crackdown from Halloween until Christmas as officials try to minimise the already spiralling number of road traffic fatalities this year.
If things are to continue with the current pattern, Ireland will be en route to recording a 12% increase in the number of road deaths this year compared with 2021.
To date, a total of 118 people have lost their lives on Irish roads this year, with concern spiking over the number of motorcyclists and cyclists who have died.
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Figures show that motorcyclists and cyclists account for one in five of all deaths, while there is also a lot of concern over the number of people dying in single-vehicle collisions.
Road Safety Authority (RSA) officials and Gardai plan to implement a crackdown and safety campaigns to reduce the number of collisions resulting in fatalities and serious injuries.
This will target speeding as well as drunk and drug driving and so motorists should expect an increase in garda presence.
Speaking about the much-needed changes Junior Transport Minister Hildegard Naughton said: "The increase in road deaths this year is deeply concerning.
"We must all take action to reverse this trend by taking greater care when using the road," she said.
"As drivers, we all have a responsibility to slow down, to never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs, never to use our phones or drive while tired, and always to ensure that everyone in our vehicle wears their seatbelt."
Meanwhile, Road Safety Authority (RSA) Chairperson Liz O'Donnell said: "Unfortunately, people are disregarding the rules and the penalties must be meaningful to ensure compliance," she said.
"Too many people are being killed and seriously injured - we must act to save lives."
"Ireland's road safety strategy runs from 2021 to 2030 and has a core aim of reducing deaths and serious injuries by 50pc over the next decade."
"We need to transform our approach to road safety in Ireland."
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