GNR personnel spent a busy Easter patrolling the nation’s highways and keeping sober drivers safe from the idiocy of others who still think it sensible to drive while talking on a mobile phone or when drunk, or both.
Between April 13th and 16th, GNR road patrols and wayside inspections on the country’s busiest highways has shown the motoring public to be as best, forgetful and at worst, deliberately risking their own lives and the lives of others.
Over the four days of operation, some statistics helpfully being compared to last year’s dismal figures, Operation Easter recorded:
708 accidents (150 fewer than last year)
Four fatalities (one more than last year);
27 severe injuries (+ six);
and 234 minor injuries (-48).
Over 15,000 vehicles were stopped and vehicles and drivers inspected, resulting in 4,799 legal infractions, of which:
2,781 were for speeding;
245 were for driving under the influence of alcohol (98 of whom had a blood alcohol way over the legally permitted level)
206 people were not using a seat belt or ‘not using one properly’ though why this sipmple procedure remains a problem was not explained in the GNR report.
Lastly, 170 vehicles had no valid MOT and 150 people were done for using a mobile phone while driving.
The GNR often are criticised for their stony-faced roadside inspections but with reports like this over just for days of operation, it is clear that such patrols and inspections remain necessary.
