Tractor driver set for day in court
A tractor driver is set for a day before the courts after An Garda Síochána brought them to a halt earlier today (Friday, April 15th, 2022).
Garda Síochána Laois/Offaly initially stopped the tractor, and low loader combination as the motorist was using a mobile phone whilst behind the wheel.
However, Gardaí later discovered that the motorist had “no tax, no insurance and no driving licence”.
As a result, Gardaí seized the vehicle and confirmed that prosecutions “will follow”.
Easter Bank Holiday Road Safety Appeal
Meanwhile, An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) have issued a road safety appeal ahead of the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.
The public campaign follows what the bodies have described as an “extremely worrying” increase in road deaths so far this year.
The RSA and Gardaí have asked motorists to:
- Slow down;
- Wear seatbelts;
- Not to drive when impaired or distracted – particularly by illegally using your phone while driving –or when tired
- Watch out for vulnerable road users over this Easter Bank Holiday weekend.
Provisional figures (as of 9 am on April 13th, 2022) from An Garda Síochána show that 50 people lost their lives on Irish roads to date this year compared to 27 up to the same date last year.
Drug driving
While the RSA and An Garda Síochána have issued a general appeal for road users to take greater care on the road this Easter Bank Holiday, there will also be a focus on drug driving.
An Garda Síochána figures for the full year 2021 saw over 3,300 arrests for drug driving. According to Gardaí, the number of arrests in 2022, up to March 31st, 2022, is 768.
The Medical Bureau of Road Safety (MBRS) analysis shows that cannabis and cocaine remain the most detected drugs in drivers on Irish roads.
Last year, 57% of specimens tested for drugs contained cannabis, 31% contained cocaine, and 14% were found to have benzodiazepines.
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