Stay Safe on The Roads This Bank Holiday Weekend

Date: 27-10-2023

Mayo County Council's Road Safety Office is urging all road users to stay safe on the roads around the county during this October Bank Holiday weekend.

Bank Holiday weekends typically witness increased road traffic, with people often in a rush to reach their destinations. Were you aware that nearly 50% of all accidents occur during the weekend?

The most prevalent factors contributing to this high accident rate include speeding, driver fatigue, distracted driving (particularly texting while driving), driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and injuries resulting from not wearing seat belts.

So, what steps can you take to reduce the likelihood of being in an accident? Consider the following:

• Plan Your Trip: Ensure you allocate sufficient time for your journey, avoiding the need for haste.
• Put Your Mobile Away: Using your mobile while driving increases the risk of an accident fourfold.
• Perform Basic Car Checks: Check your tires for proper inflation and good condition. With wet weather, expect an increased amount of spray and dirt on your windscreen, so ensure your washer fluid is topped up. Verify that your lights, including indicators, are functioning correctly.
• Reduce Speed: Slowing down is a straightforward safety measure.
• Take Breaks: If you're embarking on a long journey, plan pit stops to stretch your legs and enjoy a coffee. On Friday the 27th and Monday the 30th, between 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm, Applegreen will offer you a free coffee if you mention RSA at the till!

This weekend will also witness a higher presence of Go Safe vans on the road. Keep in mind that fines for 16 road safety offenses have doubled since this time last year. Accumulate 12 points, and you'll be disqualified from driving.

Some of the fines that are doubling include speeding (increasing from €80 to €160), mobile phone use (rising from €60 to €120), not wearing seat belts (also increasing to €120), and failing to ensure that a child is properly restrained (again, increasing to €120).

Additionally, certain fines related to safety offenses committed by learner and novice drivers are on the rise. For instance, the fine for a learner permit holder driving unaccompanied by a qualified person will increase from €80 to €160, and the fine for novice and learner drivers not displaying 'L' or 'N' plates, or tabards in the case of motorcyclists, will double to €120.

List of fixed change offences and revised amounts