Garda prepare bank holiday safety campaign

Gardaí begin their annual August bank holiday weekend road safety campaign from midnight tonight until next Monday

Gardaí begin their annual August bank holiday weekend road safety campaign from midnight tonight until next Monday

The Garda campaign will focus on road safety with particular emphasis on drink driving.

Gardaí said checkpoints will be established and licensed premises will be monitored to crack-down on drink driving.

Motorists are reminded to drive carefully at the appropriate speed and ensure that they and all their passengers wear seat belts.

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Last year five people were killed and 89 injured during the bank holiday weekend.

Seven people died last weekend, one of the deadliest of the year.

AA roadwatch reminded drivers that the August weekend has historically been one of the worst periods for road deaths.

AA Roadwatch Controller Emma Caulfield is advised motorists to "think safety first, slow down, wear your seat belt and take breaks if you're driving long distances".

The busiest periods for traffic are between early afternoon and early evening on Friday, all day Saturday and again from mid afternoon and early evening on Monday when travelling back to Dublin.

"Our advice is to avoid these peak times and if you are taking to the road to give yourself plenty of extra time for your journey" Ms Caulfield added.

Meanwhile, Dublin Airport says it is expecting over 325,000 passengers over the course of the weekend - an 8 per cent increase over the same period last year.

Sunday will be the busiest day of the weekend with over 86,000 people expected to arrive and depart.

Dublin Airport says it is laying on extra customer relations staff, "dressed inbrightly coloured yellow t-shirts".

With enhanced security measures at the airport passengers are reminded to check-in at least 90 minutes before departure.
"Dublin Airport would like to remind passengers to remove all sharp objects from their hand luggage thereby eliminating additional security searches. These items should be packed into checked-in luggage only," an airport statement said.