A senior Irish garda in Cork has highlighted that ‘drug driving’ has become a “major problem” on local roads.
Cork City Roads Policing Inspector Gillian Synott addressed The Echo following the arrest of 13 motorists in Cork last week for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“Drug driving seems to be our major issue right now,” Inspector Synott said. “We are out in force. While we can’t be everywhere, we will do our best. If you take the risk, you will be caught.”
The holiday weekend roads policing operation began at 7 am on Thursday, during which 946 drivers were detected speeding nationwide, with 160 detected between Sunday and Monday.
Inspector Gillian Synnott displays one of the Narcotic testing kits used by her team at a Garda checkpoint on Sharman Crawford Street in Cork city on Monday, part of a major road safety campaign run by the Gardaí over the bank holiday weekend. Picture Chani Anderson
In Cork, 280 breath tests were conducted over the weekend, resulting in seven drivers being caught for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This brought the total number of drivers detected under the influence in Cork last week to 13.
Nationally, 127 arrests were made for driving under the influence over the bank holiday weekend, with 46 of those detected between 7 am on Sunday and 7 am on Monday.
Among those caught speeding, one driver in Cork was recorded travelling at 134 kph in a 100 kph zone on the South Ring Road.
At a routine checkpoint on Sharman Crawford St in Cork city centre, several motorists were found to be driving either unaccompanied as learner drivers or without valid NCT or insurance. Their vehicles were detained and towed.
Inspector Synott noted that while road fatalities this year have reached a record 115, an increase of 12 from last year, An Garda Síochána remains committed to achieving zero road deaths by 2050.
“The biggest issue is mobile phones,” she said. “Using them, especially when combined with speeding, is a recipe for disaster. It’s devastating.”
She urged drivers to slow down, avoid using phones, and never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. “Any level of a drug in your system is illegal. Just slow down,” she advised. “The difference in speed only saves a few minutes but could prevent a tragedy.”
Inspector Peter Gilsenan added, “While we have seen generally good compliance at checkpoints, unacceptable speeds and dangerous driving behaviours like drug and drunk driving are still prevalent. Our message remains the same: for your safety and that of all road users, slow down, drive safely, and never drive under the influence.”
An Garda Síochána will continue to use advanced technology and conduct checkpoints nationwide to monitor and address dangerous driving behaviours.
