Freeflow gardai to test drivers

Motorists stopped by gardaí for committing traffic offences during Operation Freeflow in Dublin city will be breathalysed An Garda Síochána has said.

The annual Garda initiative to keep traffic moving in the run up to Christmas has always relied on high visibility of uniformed Garda and rigorous enforcement of the road traffic acts to stop motorists from committing offences such as blocking yellow boxes and running red lights.

However this year gardaí will also be breathalysing motorists who break traffic laws, regardless of whether they are involved in an accident.

"We piloted this in some places last year but this year it will be in operation throughout the freeflow area," Chief Supt Aidan Reid of the Dublin regional traffic division said.

"We've catered for it with every member [of the force] involved in freeflow having access to an alcometer. Members do have discretion as to its use, but motorists should be aware that they will be subject to testing."

Operation Freeflow began last weekend and continues until December 24th after which it will be replaced by Operation Artery which is a year round traffic management plan.

Information on traffic and travel during the Christmas period in Dublin is available on www.freeflow.ie. Information includes the hours of late-night public transport services including buses which leave Dublin as late as 3.30am at weekends for places such as Drogheda, Greystones and Newbridge.

The website also carries "real-time" information on current traffic in Dublin, as well as advance notice of issues such as the opening of the Samuel Beckett Bridge to vehicles on December 11th, and the evening suspension of the "bus gate" traffic restrictions as well as city parking.

Details of Dublin City's Council's free parking scheme this Christmas are also available. Free parking is available from Thursdays to Sundays in certain city centre locations to encourage shopping.

Livedrive 103.2FM will be broadcasting traffic information throughout the freeflow period, which runs up to early January and, as in previous years, trainee gardaí from Templemore will be on point duty at key locations across the city.