Drivers urged to take care over Bank Holiday

The Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, and the Garda Síochána have urged motorists to be particularly careful over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Nine people were killed and over 140 injured during the August holiday last year.

The Gardaí are again mounting their road safety campaign, Operation Taisteal. This will run from midnight tonight until midnight on Sunday and will see officers manning checkpoints and monitoring danger areas throughout the country.

They have warned that a particular emphasis will be placed on speeding or drunk drivers, seatbelt use and the behaviour of young male motorists.

A total of 208 people have been killed since the beginning of this year, with thousands more seriously hurt. Of those killed, 80 were pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists or their passengers.

Although the number of deaths is down 68 in the six-month period from November 1st, 2002 and the end of June over the same period the previous year, Mr Brennan warned that vigilance is still required.

"The number of fatalities in recent months highlights the need for better road behaviour," he said. "Whenever a driver takes a risk, he or she is potentially creating a death trap for other road users".

Mr Brennan said penalty points will apply to the non-wearing of seatbelts from August 25th, joining speeding and driving without insurance on the list of offences that could lead to drivers being banned.

"I am urging parents to be mindful of this," he said. "Children will be returning to school shortly . . . it is vital that even during short journeys, appropriate caution is exercised".