Gardaí pinpoint St Brigid's Day Bank Holiday weekend crash risk times

Garda data has pinpointed the most likely day and times to be involved in a car crash this St Brigid's Bank Holiday weekend as they launched an extensive nationwide road safety campaign. 

According to gardaí, data strongly indicates that the risk of a fatal or serious injury road traffic collision is at its highest between midday and 3pm on each of the four days of the St Brigid’s Day Bank Holiday Weekend.

It further shows that a driver is most likely to be involved in a fatal or serious injury road traffic collision during these hours tomorrow, Friday, January 31.

In the first four weeks of 2025, 12 people have been killed in road traffic collisions on Irish roads - three fewer lives taken than during the same period last year. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

An extensive Garda Roads Policing Operation got underway at 7am on Thursday and will continue throughout this long weekend until 7am on Tuesday morning, with every on-duty garda out conducting road traffic enforcement activity.

Gardaí have confirmed they will be focusing on targeting the four offences that are proven to cause fatal and serious collisions: intoxicated driving, speeding, using a mobile phone at the wheel, and not wearing a seatbelt.

Ahead of the national holiday, drivers and all other road users are being reminded to plan ahead and organise a safe way home if socialising over the coming days.

“This means leaving the car and the keys at home, arranging a lift, agreeing a designated driver, booking a taxi, or taking public transport,” the statement read.

“Walking home or cycling under the influence of alcohol or drugs can also put you and other road users at risk.”

Gardaí and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) have appealed to young drivers in particular to take care this weekend and realise that the “odds are stacked against them while behind the wheel at night”.

Data collated by the Garda Analysis Service shows that drivers under the age of 25 are twice as likely to be involved in a fatal or serious injury collision during the hours of darkness.

Those who drive and are aged 17-20 are in fact more likely to be involved in a fatal collision than a collision that leaves them with serious injuries, when behind the wheel during the hours of darkness.

Of the 175 people who lost their lives in road traffic collisions last year, 60 were aged between 16 and 25.

In 2023, 25 of the 184 people who were killed on Irish roads were aged 16-25, an increase from 16 in 2022.

Sam Waide, Chief Executive of the Road Safety Authority said: "We are asking all road users to stay safe this bank holiday weekend. Many roads are still showing the after-effects of Storm Éowyn and we ask people to slow down, particularly on rural roads, with wet and windy conditions continuing.

"Unfortunately, killer behaviours persist on our roads, so it is more important than ever that drivers do not speed, use their mobile phones or consume alcohol or drugs. Everyone travelling in a vehicle also needs to remember to use a seatbelt.

"In January and February, we are tackling the issues of people not wearing a seatbelt and mobile phone usage through campaigns aimed at reducing these dangerous behaviours, across all user groups and age groups, including young people.”