Irish Garda launches major road safety crackdown for August bank holiday

An Garda Síochána has begun an extensive road policing operation for the August bank holiday, running from Thursday 30 July through Tuesday 4 August 2026. The effort focuses on four key offences – speeding, driving under the influence of intoxicants, using a mobile phone while driving and not wearing a seatbelt – in an attempt to reduce the high number of traffic fatalities.

As of 28 July 2026, 105 people had died in road collisions in Ireland, an increase of 13 deaths compared with the previous year and the highest toll in a decade. Garda data show that in the first half of 2026 an average of one driver was arrested every hour for DUI, totalling more than 4,600 arrests. Over the same period, authorities issued more than 119,000 fixed‑charge notices for speeding, 14,500 for mobile‑phone use while driving and 3,000 for seatbelt violations, and seized over 18,000 vehicles for lack of insurance, licence or inspection.

Assistant Commissioner Denis Ferry described the rise in fatalities as "a very concerning trend" and urged the public to slow down and comply with road laws. Minister of State Seán Canney highlighted the importance of a safe holiday, reminding drivers that simple actions can save lives.