Drivers urged to exercise caution

An Garda Síochána has warned that its Easter road safety campaign will focus on motorists speeding, driving under the influence and using mobile phones.

Following a rise in the number of fatalities on the State's roads in the first quarter of the year, gardaí will be mounting additional checkpoints across the country over the course of this, and next, weekend to monitor driver behaviour.

A total of 61 people have died on the roads so far this year, up from 55 in the same period in 2010. The rise was attributed to motorists failing to heed warnings on drink driving and speeding.

The Easter and May bank holiday weekends have seen a number of collisions and crashes in the past two years, with 13 people dying and a further 33 sustaining injuries.

"I am asking every person in Ireland that use the roads to make a commitment that they will do so safely and with care and consideration for the other people they meet along the way," Assistant Garda Commissioner John Twomey said.

The Garda said it was a particular concern that there was an increase in the number of drivers detected driving under the influence and speeding over the St Patrick's holiday period.

"It is somewhat disappointing that in spite of all the campaigns and sustained efforts in relation to the dangers of 'drink driving' and speeding, drivers persist in taking chances - chances with their own life and all others that they meet on the road," Assistant Commissioner Twomey said.

Alcohol industry funded drinkaware.ie has called on motorists to remember that alcohol consumed the night before may still affect their ability to drive the following day.

"A glass of stout, lager, cider or a small glass of wine or a pub measure of spirits is equal to one standard drink, and one standard drink takes on average one hour to leave your system. There is no way to speed this up," drinkaware chief executive Fionnuala Sheehan said.

"This weekend the message is to take responsibility for your own drinking, do the maths and if you think that you are not ok to drive, then don't risk it."