An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority have urged all road users to slow down and remain alert ahead of the May Bank Holiday weekend, as a major nationwide enforcement operation gets underway.
With 55 deaths recorded on Irish roads so far this year, authorities say increased traffic over the holiday period will heighten the risk of serious incidents.
The roads policing operation began at 7am on Thursday, April 30, and will continue until 7am on Tuesday, May 5, targeting what Gardaí describe as “lifesaver offences” such as speeding, driving under the influence, mobile phone use and failure to wear seatbelts.
Superintendent Stephen McCauley, of the Dublin Metropolitan Region Roads Policing Unit, said: "An extensive roads policing operation got underway this morning at 7.00am and this operation is in place nationwide. Gardaí work all year round to detect and deter road traffic offences which are known to increase the risk of death or serious injury on our roads. This risk further increases during bank holiday weekends".
Recent figures show a rise in dangerous driving behaviour, with speeding detections up 36 per cent over the past year, mobile phone use increasing by 10 per cent, seatbelt offences up six per cent and incidents of driving under the influence rising by four per cent.
Gardaí said these trends show “a sustained disregard” for road safety and warned that every offence increases the risk of serious harm.
Motorcyclists are a particular focus for the operation, with more riders expected on the roads during the summer months. While fatalities have fallen this year, three deaths have already been recorded.
In 2025, 29 motorcyclists were killed and 195 seriously injured in collisions.
Superintendent McCauley added: "We all have a personal responsibility to prevent death and serious injuries on our roads. As always, An Garda Síochána is urging people to never, ever get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs; slow down and drive at the appropriate speed; always wear your seatbelt; and do not allow yourself to be distracted by a phone while driving".
The Road Safety Authority said injuries among motorcyclists remain a serious concern, with 1,648 riders hospitalised between 2020 and 2024.
RSA director Michael Rowland said: "While motorcycles make up a relatively small proportion of traffic on our roads, injuries among riders remain a serious concern… Reducing these numbers will require a collective effort to improve safety for motorcyclists".
Minister of State at the Department of Transport Sean Canney also appealed to the public to act responsibly.
He said: "All road users are entitled to feel safe on our roads and I urge everyone to make responsible and safe decisions this Bank Holiday weekend".
Both organisations are reminding the public that road safety is a shared responsibility, particularly during busy holiday periods when more people are travelling.
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