The August Bank Holiday road safety campaign is under way after a seven-day period in which 12 people lost their lives in traffic accidents.
The Garda road safety campaign, which will run until midnight on Monday, August 1st, will focus on drink driving.
Over the August Bank Holiday last year five people were killed and 89 injured on our roads.
Arrests for drink-driving offences have increased by 16 per cent to 872 for the first six months of this year when compared to 2004.
Checkpoints and monitoring of licensed premises and driving and drunken behaviour will be carried out in each Garda division over this holiday weekend.
"Motorists are reminded to drive carefully at the appropriate speed, and ensure that they and all their passengers wear seat belts.
"Never drink and drive," a Garda press office spokesman said.
Gardaí advise having a nominated non-drinking driver or using public transport if going out for a drink, and to allow extra time for journeys.
"Remember that you are responsible not only for your own safety and that of your passengers, but also for the safety of other road users."
The National Safety Council yesterday issued road fatality figures up to yesterday, July 29th.
It showed that in the previous seven days up to yesterday morning 12 people died in road accidents.
This includes six people who died last weekend in less than a 24-hour period.
The council said a change in the weather - a long, dry spell followed by heavy rains - made for hazardous conditions.
The council reported yesterday afternoon that the number killed since the beginning of the year was 222, three more than those who died up to the same date last year.
Early last night there was another fatality, bringing the number to 223.
A motorcyclist died in a collision on the N6 in Co Westmeath when his motorcycle collided with a lorry at Gneevebawn, Tyrellspass, at 5pm.
The Garda National Traffic Bureau also gave a breakdown of the type of road users who have died up to July 25th, 2005.
The greatest number of those killed in road accidents were drivers at 96.
A total of 48 passengers died, 36 motorcyclists, 33 pedestrians, four pedal cyclists and two motorcyclist pillion passengers and others.