Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has declared that simply slapping fines on speeding drivers in Ireland isn’t enough. He argues that those caught driving well over the speed limit should face temporary license suspensions. This statement comes in response to a concerning rise in road fatalities across the country.
Recent speed tests have revealed alarming results, with many motorists clocking speeds twice the legal limit. In a bid to curb such reckless behavior, Harris has mandated all garda officers to conduct 30-minute traffic checks starting from April 12. Within just 12 days of this initiative, there has been a notable surge in various enforcement activities. This includes a 42% increase in breath tests, a 25% uptick in vehicle impoundments, a 61% rise in fines issued, and a 22% increase in instances of mobile phone usage while driving compared to the prior month.
Commissioner Harris emphasizes that these measures aren’t temporary fixes but will become a permanent fixture in Ireland’s law enforcement strategy. The move aims to make roads safer and deter motorists from endangering lives through reckless driving habits.