Gardaí are to target speeding and drink driving as thousands take to the roads for the August bank holiday weekend.
On what is traditionally one of the busiest weekends of the year, tens of thousands are also expected to pass through the State's airports between today and Monday.
However, the weather looks set to disappoint those who are staying at home and wish to get out about. Met Éireann said this morning rain is spreading from the northwest and will become widespread. Saturday, Sunday and Monday will not be much better, with more heavy rain and even the risk of flooding.
Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey yesterday warned motorists taking to the roads to take extra care.
Twenty-four people have died, and 64 have been seriously injured in August bank holiday crashes since 2002. Five people were killed on the roads over the same weekend last year and three the year before.
Acting chief executive of the Road Safety Authority Declan Naughton also urged caution, saying drivers should always drive at an appropriate speed, should not tailgate, never drive while impaired by alcohol, drugs or tiredness, and wear a seatbelt.
Pedestrians were urged to walk on footpaths or on the right hand side of the road, facing traffic if there are no footpaths. They were also warned to wear bright clothing with reflective armbands and to avoid excessive drinking.
Gardaí said they would deploy "significant resources" to patrolling the roads over the weekend. Speeding will be the main focus of the forces operations. In the first half of this year there have been approximately 93,000 speeding detections and 4,500 suspected drink drivers were arrested in the first three months of the year.
A total of 201 lives have been lost on Irish roads so far in 2007, compared to 238 to the same date in 2006.
The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) said it expected to see more than 350,000 people pass through the State's biggest airport between tomorrow and Monday. This represents a 10 per cent increase on the same period last year. More than 2,400 flights will arrive and depart during this time. The DAA urged passengers to check regulations on the liquids before travelling.
Almost 60,000 passengers will travel through Shannon airport over the weekend. The airport is predicting a 9 per cent jump in numbers as sunseekers choose to leave rainswept Ireland.
Those of you planning to stay here in our green and pleasant land may be well advised to avoid approach roads to the Cooley peninsula in Co Louth tonight and tomorrow morning as an attempt is being made to break the world record for the number of vintage tractors in one place this weekend. Whatever about being stuck behind one, how would you like to be stuck behind 2,200?
Other major cultural events include the Spraoi festival in Waterford, which is expected to attract 200,000 visitors over the weekend; the World Fleadh in Portlaoise; the Scariff Harbour Festival in Co Clare; and the 15th annual Cycle Messenger World Championships in Dublin.
All sporting roads lead to Croke Park, which is hosting six major championship games over the weekend.
Honorary mention also goes to the Galway Races Summer Festival, where politicians will be rubbing shoulders with the hoi polloi all weekend.
