There will be an increased garda presence on Irish roads this weekend
Garda checkpoint(Image: Collins Photo Agency)
With summer fast approaching, tens of thousands of drivers will be hitting the roads over the long June Bank Holiday weekend.
However, with bank holidays ranking amongst the most dangerous periods on Irish roads, Gardaí will be maintaining an increased presence across the country’s road network in the coming days.
This means a considerable number of checkpoints, with Gardaí keeping a watchful eye out for speeding, drink-driving, uninsured vehicles and a range of other road traffic offences.
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A joint statement was issued on Thursday by the Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána, urging all road users to take care throughout the long weekend.
So far in 2026, 69 people have lost their lives on our roads, four more than at the same point last year, with a fatal collision occurring on average almost every other day. This is particularly alarming given that 2025 recorded the highest number of road fatalities in Ireland over the past decade, reports the Irish Mirror.
This weekend, Gardaí are leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to crack down on dangerous behaviour, including drink and drug-driving as well as speeding.
To accomplish this, a significant number of checkpoints and speed vans will be deployed at designated ‘enforcement zones’ throughout the country.
There are more than 1,900 of these zones nationwide – predominantly in areas that have witnessed serious and fatal collisions over the years. While motorists can naturally be pulled over for speeding anywhere, and checkpoint locations are deliberately kept unpredictable, Gardaí maintain designated ‘safety locations’ where they place particular emphasis on dangerous driving, reports Cork Beo.
Gardaí deploy speed cameras and checkpoints at these sites, which can encompass entire road stretches identified as ‘collision zones.’ These zones may include sections extending up to 15km where Gardaí can carry out mobile speed checks, utilise speed cameras, or establish checkpoints at any point throughout the route.
You check the full list of locations on the Garda website here. Alternatively, you can use this interactive map of Garda mobile safety cameras that are in use nationwide.
With summer festivities in full swing this weekend, our roads will be significantly busier than usual, heightening the likelihood of collisions.
Research conducted by Gardaí examining collision data gathered over the four previous June Bank Holiday weekends indicates that the risk of collision reaches its peak between 12pm and 9pm throughout the weekend.
A similar analysis of drink driving arrests established that the highest number of arrests for driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol took place between 9pm and 3am.
Gardaí have urged all road users to take extra care over the June bank holiday weekend. Motorists are urged to lower their speed, choose a pace appropriate to the prevailing conditions, refrain from using a mobile phone while driving, ensure they always wear a seatbelt, and never get behind the wheel under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Chief Superintendent David Harrington, Garda National Roads Policing Bureau, said: “Regrettably, we are still seeing a high number of drivers getting behind the wheel after consuming drugs and alcohol. Last month, 165 people were arrested for driving while intoxicated during the May bank holiday weekend. This is not only unacceptable and dangerous behaviour, it is also against the law.
“Everyone has the right to get home safe this weekend. We are appealing to all road users to never, ever drive after taking drugs or drinking alcohol. If you are socialising this weekend, plan your journey home in advance. Use taxis and public transport, or organise a lift home with friends and family.
“If you are detected driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you will be arrested. And if you are convicted, you will lose your licence.”
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