An Garda Síochána Launches August Bank Holiday Roads Policing Operation Amid Rising Fatalities

An Garda Síochána is to run an intensive roads policing operation over the August Bank Holiday weekend, targeting the four "lifesaver" offences as this year's road death toll runs significantly ahead of 2025.

Since 2021, almost 50,000 drivers have been arrested for driving under the influence of an intoxicant, and over one million speeding notices have been issued in the same period by An Garda Síochána and road safety partners GoSafe.

The operation begins on Thursday morning, 30 July 2026, and continues until Tuesday morning, 4 August 2026. It will focus on:

1. Speeding
2. Driving under the influence of an intoxicant
3. Using a mobile phone while driving
4. Not wearing a seatbelt

The August Bank Holiday weekend is traditionally very busy on Irish roads, with people using the long weekend for staycations, visiting family and friends, and attending festivals and amenities across the country. Gardaí say an increase in road use brings a higher risk of fatal or serious injury road traffic collisions.

As of yesterday morning, Tuesday 28 July 2026, 105 people have lost their lives in road traffic collisions in Ireland. Last year, 2025, saw the highest number of deaths on Irish roads in a decade. This year's figures are significantly higher (+13) compared to the same time last year.

An Garda Síochána says these fatalities are symptomatic of a bigger, worrying trend in road safety, with a notable increase in non-compliance with road traffic laws and rising detection and enforcement statistics.

During the first half of 2026, an average of one driver was arrested by An Garda Síochána every hour of every day for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, over 4,600 arrests between 1 January and 30 June 2026.

During the same period, over 119,000 fixed charge notices were issued for speeding, over 14,500 for using a mobile phone while driving, and over 3,000 for not wearing a seatbelt. Over 18,000 vehicles were seized where the driver was found to have no insurance, no driving licence, no NCT or CVRT, or where they were an unaccompanied learner driver.

Research by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) shows that in 2026, up to 26 July, over a quarter of all road fatalities were persons aged 16 to 25. The research further shows that over 40% of fatalities occurred at the weekend, on Saturday or Sunday, and that over half of this year's fatal road traffic collisions (57%) occurred on roads with a speed limit of 80kph or more.

Garda research into detections and enforcement activity over a five and a half year period, from January 2021 to the end of June 2026, shows a sustained disregard for road traffic laws. Over half a million checkpoints were conducted in that period, resulting in over 1,000,000 speeding detections, over 150,000 detections for using a mobile phone while driving and not wearing a seatbelt, over 150,000 vehicles seized and detained under Section 41 of the Road Traffic Act, and almost 90,000 learner or novice drivers issued with a Fixed Charge Notice. Between January 2021 and June 2026, almost 50,000 drivers were arrested for driving while intoxicated.

Road safety needs to be a priority for everyone, Gardaí say. Slow down and stick to the speed limit, never drive under the influence of drink or drugs, wear your seatbelt, and don't get distracted by mobile devices when driving.

Assistant Commissioner Denis Ferry, Roads Policing and Community Engagement:

"The current level of fatalities on Irish roads and the tragic increase we've observed over the past few years is very concerning. Each fatality is not just a number; it is a person with a family, friends, colleagues and a community.

These rising fatalities are symptomatic of a bigger and very worrying concern around road safety in general. We are repeatedly seeing high levels of detections and enforcement activity by our members due to sustained non-compliance with road traffic laws by road users.

Road safety needs to be a priority for everyone. The August Bank Holiday weekend is traditionally very busy on our roads. Our message is simple: slow down, put your mobile phone away, wear your seatbelt and never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. These simple actions will help save a life this weekend."

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Seán Canney:

"The August Bank Holiday weekend is a wonderful time for everyone to enjoy. When you are out and about this weekend, I would urge you to take care, slow down, pay attention to your surroundings and do not take unnecessary risks. Too many families and communities have already experienced devastating loss this year, with road fatalities higher in the first half of 2026 than during the same period last year. Please make safety your number one priority. Everyone has a right to feel safe on our roads – let's work together to do that."

Michael Rowland, Director of Research, Standards and Assurance, Road Safety Authority:

"With the August bank holiday weekend approaching, we are urging everyone using our roads to take extra care and make safety their top priority. This year has seen a deeply concerning increase in the number of people losing their lives on Irish roads.

Overall, 57% of fatalities occurred on higher speed roads with a speed limit of 80km/h or greater. Tragically, there has been a significant increase in fatalities among young people. Those aged 16-25 years account for 27% of all deaths this year. Weekends are also a problem, with two in five of all fatalities occurring on Saturday and Sunday, while one quarter of fatalities occurred between 12pm-4pm and a further 24% between 8pm-12am.

The choices we make behind the wheel matter. We are asking all road users, particularly drivers, to exercise caution when using the roads this weekend. We know from coroner data that alcohol plays a major role in fatal collisions. We are asking drivers who are out socialising this weekend to leave the keys at home, identify a designated driver to get home safely, and never drink and drive. Also, never get into a car with a driver who has consumed alcohol. Finally, remember you may still be impaired the morning after a night out, so bear this in mind if you are thinking about driving the next morning. If each of us takes personal responsibility for our behaviour, we can help ensure that everyone gets to their destination safely and that no family has to endure the heartbreak of a loved one not coming home this bank holiday weekend."