Carlow motorists urged to slow down on roads this bank holiday weekend

Carlow motorists are being urged to slow down and take caution on roads this bank holiday weekend, as Gardaí prepare for an “extensive” roads policing operation.

It begins on Thursday morning and continues until Tuesday morning, focusing on the four lifesaver offences, ensuring that all road users get home safe this weekend.

Those offences are speeding, driving under the influence of an intoxicant, using a mobile phone while driving, and not wearing a seatbelt.

As of Tuesday morning, 105 people have lost their lives in road traffic collisions in Ireland.

2025 saw the highest number of deaths on Irish roads in a decade

These fatalities are symptomatic of a bigger, worrying trend in road safety, with An Garda Síochána seeing a notable increase in non-compliance with road traffic laws.

During the first half of 2026, an average of one driver was arrested by An Garda Síochána every hour of every day for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

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That’s over 4,600 arrests between 1st January and 30th June 2026.

During the same time period this year:

• Over 119,000 fixed charge notices were issued for speeding

• Over 14,500 fixed charge notices were issued for using a mobile phone while driving

• Over 3,000 fixed charge notices were issued for not wearing a seatbelt

Over 18,000 vehicles were seized by An Garda Síochána where the driver was found to have no insurance, no driving licence, no NCT/ CVRT or where they were an unaccompanied learner driver.

Research conducted by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) highlights that in 2026 (up to 26th July) over a quarter of all road fatalities were persons aged between 16 – 25 years old.

The RSA research further highlights that over 40% of fatalities occurred at the weekend, on Saturday or Sunday, and over half of this year’s fatal road traffic collisions (57%) occurred on roads with a speed limit of 80kph or more.

Between January 2021 and June 2026, almost 50,000 drivers were arrested for driving while intoxicated.

“Road safety needs to be a priority for everyone. Slow down and stick to the speed limit. Never drive under the influence of drink or drugs. Wear your seatbelt and don’t get distracted by mobile devices when you are driving. You can help get another person home safe this weekend,” a Garda spokesperson said.

Assistant Commissioner Denis Ferry, Roads Policing and Community Engagement, said: "The current level of fatalities on Irish roads and the tragic increase we've observed over the past few years is very concerning. Each fatality is not just a number; it is a person with a family, friends, colleagues and a community.

"These rising fatalities are symptomatic of a bigger and very worrying concern around road safety in general. We are repeatedly seeing high levels of detections and enforcement activity by our members due to sustained non-compliance with road traffic laws by road users.

"Road safety needs to be a priority for everyone. The August Bank Holiday weekend is traditionally very busy on our roads. Our message is simple: slow down, put your mobile phone away, wear your seatbelt and never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. These simple actions will help save a life this weekend."