Car clocked travelling at 175kmh on Mayo road during bank holiday
An Garda Síochána were out in full force across Mayo over the St Brigid’s Bank Holiday weekend as part of an enhanced Road Safety and Traffic Enforcement campaign.
As part of the operation, the Mayo Roads Policing Unit conducted speed and road safety checks along the N17 on Sunday evening.
Gardaí focused on detecting drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs, those exceeding speed limits, using mobile phones while driving, or failing to wear their seatbelts.
Several vehicles were clocked travelling well in excess of the 100kmh speed limit, resulting in fines and penalty points being issued.
One vehicle was recorded travelling at 143kmh, with another driving at 139kmh.
However, the most serious offence recorded over the weekend occurred on the N5, where a vehicle carrying passengers was detected travelling at 175kmh in a 100kmh zone. The vehicle was detained under Section 41 of the Road Traffic Act.
Following the operation, An Garda Síochána in Mayo reminded motorists to expect continued checkpoints and enforcement activity. Road users were urged to slow down, drive according to road conditions, never drink or drug drive, and always wear a seatbelt.
Gardaí also stressed the importance of ensuring children are properly restrained, avoiding distractions such as mobile phone use, and being mindful of vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.
The Road Safety and Traffic Enforcement campaign was in effect nationwide over the bank holiday weekend, during which Gardaí highlighted distracted driving as a significant and growing road safety concern.
It remains an offence to hold a mobile phone while driving. Over the past five years, An Garda Síochána has issued almost 110,000 Fixed Charge Notices (FCNs) for this offence.
This represents a 30pc increase, with approximately 18,500 notices issued in 2022 compared to 24,500 in 2025.
Between September and October 2025, the Road Safety Authority conducted an observational survey on mobile device usage.
The manual study was carried out across 145 sites nationwide and recorded 22,582 observations of drivers of passenger cars, goods vehicles, buses, and coaches.
The survey found that 8pc of motorists were using a handheld mobile device, an increase from 6pc in 2024.
Of those seen using a device, 48pc were holding it in their hand, while 52pc were holding it to their ear.
Gardaí noted that distracted driving goes beyond mobile phone use and can include activities such as checking messages or apps, watching videos, shaving, applying makeup, and eating or drinking to the extent that this distracts from driving.
These activities can also result in prosecution under Section 51(a) of the Road Traffic Act for driving without reasonable consideration, or in more serious cases, charges of careless or dangerous driving.
Over the past five years, nearly 30,000 FCNs have been issued for driving without reasonable consideration, with a 36pc increase recorded between 2022 and 2025.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.