A Garda initiative targeting road traffic offences including drink driving, speeding, non-use of seatbelts and the use of hand-held mobile phones began in Dublin this morning.
Operation Focus, will involve a concentration of Garda resources at known high-risk crash locations and will be deployed nationally over next six months.
During the Dublin operation mandatory alcohol test checkpoints will be held at the designated locations from 4.30am to 5.30am, 6.15 am to 7am, 7pm to 8pm and 11pm to midnight.
The M50, M1 and M11 will be patrolled on a continuous basis by six Garda vehicles equipped with automated number plate recognition technology and 57 high visibility check points and 19 patrol cars.
Marked safety camera vans will be carrying out speed enforcement at known collision black spots, in addition to Garda units with speed check guns.
Assistant Garda Commissioner John O’Mahoney said the force wanted drivers to focus on the main causes of death on the roads. “The objective is to remind people that it doesn’t pay to take chances on our roads," he said. "As a community, we all have a duty to ensure that no family should lose a loved on our roads as a result of reckless behaviour.”
