A regional road safety campaign has been launched in the northeast, as the number of road fatalities nationwide this year approaches 100.
Operation Guide will run across the Louth Cavan Monaghan Garda Division until the end of August.
Chief Superintendent Alan McGovern said the operation aims to increase driver awareness and enhance the visibility of Roads Policing Units throughout the three counties.
"The N2, the M3 and the M1 span across the three counties, so it's a big area for roads policing. We're looking at life saver offences and increasing visibility on the roads", he said.
Chief Supt McGovern said that trends for the summer months of July and August show increased numbers of fatalities on the roads.
The operation will include targeted checkpoints, like one carried out on the N2 on the Louth- Monaghan border this morning.
"As you can see, already this morning we have detected one suspected person of using cocaine while driving, so they are very effective", said Assistant Commissioner for the North Western Region, Clíona Richardson.
Garda visibility
Assistant Commissioner Richardson said that the checkpoints and garda visibility are really important.
"We're appealing to everybody, when you're driving or a road user, slow down, take your time and never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol".
"Unfortunately we're up to 99 fatalities at the moment. It is up on last year so we are trying very hard to ensure that the message goes out in relation to driver behaviour", she said.
Operation Guide is supported by the Road Safety Authority, the IFA and the local authorities in Cavan, Monaghan and Louth.
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