Garda to set up weekend checkpoints on all roads

One thousand gardaí will mount checkpoints across the country over the Easter weekend in a bid to clampdown on motoring offences, especially drink- driving.

Heavy congestion is expected on all main routes from early this afternoon, particularly around Dublin, and motorists are advised to factor this in when planning journey times.

The Garda campaign, which began at midnight and will run until midnight on Monday, will seek to reduce last year's Easter weekend road death total of five, and 67 crash-related serious injuries. Gardaí said patrols and checkpoints will be mounted on all roads and that accident black-spots will be the focus for special attention.

Minister for Transport Martin Cullen urged motorists to slow down and take care on the roads over the weekend. He said new research by the National Roads Authority revealed that 86 per cent of all road fatalities and injuries in 2003 were caused by bad driver behaviour.

"Reckless driving does not achieve anything. It kills and it makes life a living hell for the families and friends of those maimed," he said.

"If drink, drugs and speed are factors on our roads, then tragedy is around the corner. There is no getting away from the road fatality statistics. If another family is not to wake up to a loved one lost this Monday morning, then belt up, don't speed and don't use drink or drugs."

Mr Cullen said the NRA's latest "road collision facts" concluded that 33 per cent of all fatal accidents in 2003 were single vehicle accidents, a 3 per cent increase on the previous year.

These type of accidents, where no other road user is concerned, is strongly associated with two causal factors, excessive speed and/or alcohol consumption, he said.

In two-vehicle fatal accidents the most frequently cited contributory factor, in 35 per cent of cases, was veering to the wrong side of the road.

Exceeding the speed limit was cited in 22 per cent of cases.

AA Roadwatch has advised motorists to adhere to the speed limits, refrain from drink-driving and to wear their seatbelts, as noncompliance will be a target of the Garda weekend campaign.

Emma Caulfield, a spokeswoman for the organisation, said heavy traffic, usually associated with bank holidays, can be expected from early this afternoon and that some major roads will be particularly badly hit.

These include the N1 through Dundalk, the N2 through Ashbourne, the N4 at Enfield and Mullingar and the N6 at Kinnegad and Moate. Traffic is also expected to be heavy on the N7 at Johnstown and Kill.

The Fairyhouse racing festival will take place at the Meath course from Sunday until Tuesday. The last race will take place on Tuesday at 5.55pm. Traffic in the area, on the N3 and R155, is expected to be heavy before and after racing on the three days.