Garda checkpoints will be set up all over the State for the next two months as part of a summer campaign to promote road safety.
A Garda spokesman i yesterday said almost 25 per cent of road deaths last year occurred during July and August, and July in particular had the highest number of deaths for the whole year.
"Maybe people are on holiday and are in a more relaxed mode and may drink and drive more during the summer," the spokesman said.
He said the campaign would target young people in particular because of the high number killed on the roads. Of the 208 people killed on the roads so far this year, 106 were under the age of 30.
Speeding, drink-driving and not wearing seat-belts are the main focuses of the campaign, which is the first of its kind in summer.
The campaign began yesterday and will continue until Sunday, September 3rd.
The Garda spokesman said there could be a certain amount of traffic disruption at the checkpoints but they would only remain for a short time before moving on.
On-the-spot fines will be issued for people breaking the law in these respects, the spokesman said. People caught speeding will be fined £50 on the spot and those found not wearing a seat belt will be fined £20. People found to be drinking and driving are to be arrested at the scene.
In the first six months of this year a total of 110,400 people were given on-the-spot fines for speeding and 27,400 were fined for not wearing seat belts.