No Xmas brakes for thousands of speeding drivers

MORE than 3,250 drivers have been caught speeding since December 1, with one motorist clocked at 201kph, gardai have revealed.

- BY DANNY DE VAAL

The figure was released by the force, who are conducting a dedicated road traffic enforcement operation throughout Christmas, which began at the start of the month and will continue until January 5.

In total, cops say more than 3,265 were caught driving over the speed limit since December began.

Some of the biggest offenders include a driver doing 201kph in a 120kph zone on the M18 in Kinvara in Galway.

Another was detected doing 192kph in a 100kph zone on the N56 in Letterkenny, Co Donegal.

In Dublin, a driver was clocked going more than double the speed limit in a 50kph zone on Newtownpark Avenue in Blackrock.

Gardai also revealed they have seized more than 600 vehicles for offences.

Cops attached to the Roads Policing Unit also issued around 330 Fixed Charge Notices for using a mobile phone while driving.

And approximately 85 Fixed Charge Notices were issued for seat belt offences.

Over the last week, they have carried out over 1,738 checkpoints, with 147 arrested for driving under the influence of an intoxicant such as alcohol or drugs.