Almost 400 vehicles have been caught speeding during the prolonged cold snap this week, gardai have said as they called speeding drivers “a menace”.
Despite warnings from authorities of icy, hazardous conditions on roads, gardai said they had detected 375 drivers in the past three days travelling in excess of the speed limit.
Among these was a vehicle detected doing 99km/hr in a 50km/hr zone on the Dublin Road, Galway; 96km/hr in a 60km/hr zone in Drung, Cavan; 112km/hr in an 80km/hr zone on the N4, Lucan, Dublin; and 156km/hr in a 100km/hr zone on the N15 in Drumrat, Co Donegal.
Gardai also arrested 29 drivers in the last 72 hours for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Chief Superintendent Jane Humphries said speeding was “irresponsible and dangerous” for both the drivers responsible and others on the roads.
“The disregard for speed limits and safe speeds by a small number of drivers is irresponsible and dangerous, not just for their own safety, but for the safety of the many workers who are busy keeping our roads open for essential use in this excessive cold spell and other road users who are supporting road safety.
“Drivers who continue to drive at excessive speed are a menace on our roads.
“An Garda Siochana continues to enforce the road traffic legislation throughout this period in addition to working and supporting our communities across the country and in the most affected counties during this cold weather period.”
An Garda Siochana reissued their appeal to drivers to slow down during extremely cold weather conditions.