The Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) has appealed to people to pay attention to signs directing cars and trucks into different lanes at two checkpoints on the N7 and M2 from today as part of the policing of Covid-19 restrictions.
Gardaí say that, since 7am today, alterations have been introduced to the checkpoints on the N7 (Junction 6) and M2 (Junction 2) only.
"A new traffic layout has been introduced at these checkpoints which provides a dedicated HGV only lane to minimise delay or disruption to business distribution," a garda statement said.
"Signage will be in place prior to reaching the checkpoints and the right hand lane (lane 3) will be available for HGVs only," they added.
The move comes after many people complained of severe traffic delays yesterday.
IRHA President Eugene Drennan said that if drivers pay attention to the signs, the situation will be a lot smoother and swifter today.
Mr Drennan told RTÉ's Morning Ireland that "a hash was made of the situation yesterday" and hauliers were dismayed as deliveries were held up for "hours on end".
The essential need for trucks, he said, has still not got into the psyche of some people in the country.
Mr Drennan said that people all over the country need to get their goods and produce also needs to be delivered abroad.
He said hauliers "lost a day" yesterday and while he could not put an exact figure on the losses, "it's a multiple, it's big".
The IRHA president said people should consider whether their journey is essential because there are still a lot of people "gadding about".
Mr Drennan urged motorists to carefully plan journeys and consider if they could be made outside of rush hour.
Gardaí have also asked motorists to follow the signage on the N7 and M2 and HGV drivers to reduce their speed as they approach the checkpoints as they still may be required to stop.
Operation Fanacht checkpoint being carried out today at Junction 2 on the N2.
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) October 8, 2020
HGV lane in operation. Latest journey time from entering traffic to passing through checkpoint is approximately 4 mins.
Please approach with care. #HoldFirm pic.twitter.com/cPCZnkDDVn
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The Green Party leader and Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan said checkpoints have worked in the past when a lane had been dedicated to haulage and this situation has been rectified today.
However, he acknowledged that perhaps a bit more notice should have been given to motorists ahead of the checkpoints being put in place.
