Galway drivers have been warned to expect mandatory alcohol checkpoints and covert surveillance as part of a Bank Holiday road safety blitz by Gardai – but despite all that, old fashioned tiredness is still one of the big killers on Irish roads.
Gardai and the Road Safety Authority now estimate that one out of five driver deaths each year is as a direct result of tiredness and fatigue behind the wheel.
Drivers who notice signs of tiredness as they make their journeys have been strongly advised to ‘pull over’ into a safe place and to take a rest.
“The only cure for driver fatigue and tiredness is rest and sleep. Turning up the radio or opening a window will not cure tiredness.
“Remember, don’t try and fight sleep at the wheel,” said Supt. Noel Kelly, Head of the Western Region Traffic Unit.
He said it was now accepted that Bank Holiday weekend periods posed particular dangers as regards fatigue and tiredness due to the fact that more drivers were travelling longer distances than usual.
“Fatigue related collisions are not always confined to one person but usually end up having a direct impact on other drivers, passengers, road users and pedestrians.
“We would urge drivers to take precautions when driving. Drivers need to factor in breaks into their journeys, especially if travelling with children.
“Ensure that you are rested before commencing a journey and if feeling tired, pull over, take a 15 to 20 minute nap, followed by a cup of coffee and some fresh air,” said Supt. Kelly.
The Bank Holiday Garda focus on road safety will centre on five main areas – drink driving, speeding, dangerous or careless driving, the non-wearing of seat belts and using mobile phones while at the wheel.
He warned that there would also be an element of covert enforcement targeting drink driving, dangerous driving, distraction driving and speeding.
In an effort to try and tackle the ‘fatrigue and tiredness’ factors, the Road Safety Authority have again partnered with the Applegreen service station group on their ‘Driver Reviver Campaign’, where drivers can get a free cup of coffee at any of the participating Applegreen outlets.
This will run between 2pm and 8pm on the Friday and Monday of the August Bank Holiday Weekend. All drivers have to do is to mention ‘RSA’ to the till operator to receive a free cup of coffee.
So far this year in the western Garda region of Clare, Galway, Mayo, Roscommon and Longford, 17 people have been killed on the roads, seven of those in Galway.
East Galway Fianna Fáil TD Colm Keaveney has added his voice to the Gardai’s safety campaign over the Bank Holiday weekend.
“I am urging the Minister for Justice to take urgent action to reverse the recent increases in road deaths and injuries – otherwise we risk losing the historic gains made in the last decade and a half,” said Deputy Keaveney.
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