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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
David Kent

Extra Garda checkpoints to be enforced in one county on Bank Holiday weekend as public warned

Extra Garda checkpoints will be laid on this weekend in one Irish county over the Bank Holiday weekend as officers attempt to keep the roads safe.

The number of people killed on Irish roads so far this year is approaching the grim total of 100, with five more people losing their lives in the last 10 days alone.

Ahead of the last Bank Holiday of the summer period, Gardai have warned drivers to be extra careful on the roads.

READ MORE: Irish road rules: Change on the way in 'weeks' as motorists warned of driving behaviour

Gardai speak to motorists pictured this morning at a Garda checkpoint on Chapelizod Road, Dublin (Collins Photos)

As part of an operation, extra checkpoints will be laid on in Clare.

Crime Prevention Officer, Sgt Triona Brooks, told Clare FM why this was the case: "The main purpose is to prevent serious injury and fatal road collisions through the enforcement of key life saver offences - driving under the influence, speeding, non-use of seatbelts and use of mobile phones while driving."

"We will be patrolling the county in both marked and unmarked vehicles. We're asking drivers to comply with the road traffic regulations. We're urging drivers to slow down - the limit is a limit, not a target. It may not be appropriate in different road types, weather conditions or traffic volumes.

A Garda checkpoint in Dublin (Collins Photos)

"Never, ever drive having consumed alcohol or drugs - understand you could still be unfit to drive on the following morning. There will be breath-tests for drinking and drugs the following morning."

Sgt Brooks also pleaded with the public to be wary about tourist hotspots in the region like the Burren or Lahinch.

The RSA and An Garda Síochána appeal to drivers to be careful on Bank Holiday weekend (Collins Photos)

"Park safely and legally when visiting public amenities. Not doing so could force pedestrians to walk on busy roads and emergency services need to be able to gain access to all these areas if they need.

"There has been extra traffic to the Wild Atlantic Away in the last couple of years, so be mindful that there may be tourists here not used to driving on the left hand side of the road."

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