By M10News Transport Desk | Published: 9 October 2025
Gardaí have issued an urgent warning to drivers across Ireland to “put down your phone and focus on the road,” after a sharp increase in road collisions linked to mobile phone use and other distractions.
Surge in Distracted Driving Incidents
Figures from An Garda Síochána’s Roads Policing Bureau show that more than 3,200 motorists were detected using mobile phones behind the wheel between July and September — a 19% increase compared with the same period last year.
Garda Superintendent Michael Brophy, head of the Roads Policing and Traffic Corps, said the numbers highlight a “deeply concerning trend” on Irish roads.
“Every week, we’re seeing preventable collisions caused by people who simply couldn’t resist checking a message or taking a call,” he said. “No text or notification is worth a life.”
Renewed Enforcement Under Operation Slow Down
The warning comes as Gardaí intensify enforcement efforts under Operation Slow Down, which targets speeding, phone use, and other high-risk behaviour. The campaign will run throughout October, with additional checkpoints on motorways, rural routes, and urban junctions.
Officers are using a combination of marked patrols, covert surveillance vehicles, and roadside cameras to catch offenders. In some areas, Gardaí are also partnering with local authorities to install digital message boards reminding drivers to stay alert.
RSA: “It’s Not Just Texting — It’s Everything”
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has joined the Garda appeal, warning that drivers are underestimating the risks of casual mobile use.
Claire Dunne, RSA road safety analyst, said even hands-free conversations can reduce concentration.
“Distraction is distraction — whether you’re reading a message, adjusting GPS, or even talking on a hands-free call,” she said. “Research shows that using a mobile while driving makes you four times more likely to crash.”
Department of Transport Endorses Garda Appeal
A spokesperson for the Department of Transport also backed the Garda operation, saying the government remains “fully committed” to tackling driver distraction.
“The Department is working closely with the RSA and Gardaí to develop stronger deterrents for mobile phone use while driving,” the spokesperson said. “Future proposals may include higher penalty points or mandatory education courses for repeat offenders.”
Stiff Penalties for Offenders
Currently, drivers caught using a mobile phone face a €60 fine and three penalty points, but Garda sources say discussions are underway to increase those penalties amid rising offence rates.
Since 2019, mobile phone use has been consistently among the top five road traffic offences in Ireland.
‘False Sense of Safety’ Among Drivers
A recent RSA survey found that 22% of Irish drivers admit to checking their phone while stopped at lights, while 15% acknowledge reading messages while in motion.
Gardaí warn that such behaviour can create a “false sense of safety.”
“Even a two-second glance at your phone while driving 100 km/h means you’ve travelled about 60 metres without watching the road,” Supt Brophy said. “That’s enough distance to miss a pedestrian, cyclist, or another vehicle entirely.”
Families Affected by Distracted Driving
In 2024, distracted driving was cited as a factor in at least 34 road fatalities, according to RSA collision data. Families affected by such incidents have been calling for stricter enforcement and public awareness.
One Dublin mother, whose teenage son was injured by a driver checking a message, told M10News she supports harsher penalties.
“People think it won’t happen to them — until it does,” she said. “It’s time phones were treated like drink-driving. The risk is the same.”
Public Awareness Campaign
The RSA’s #EyesOnTheRoad campaign is returning this week across national radio, social media, and billboards. It features testimonials from crash survivors and short clips highlighting the dangers of a “split-second distraction.”
Shared Responsibility on Irish Roads
Both the Gardaí and RSA are urging passengers to play their part by discouraging drivers from using phones or other devices while driving.
“Everyone in a vehicle has a role to play,” said Dunne. “If you see someone using their phone, speak up — it could save a life.”
M10News Transport Desk | Contact: transport@m10news.com
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