TWO DRUG-DRIVING ARRESTS MADE IN FIRST HOUR OF CHECKPOINT CAMPAIGN

By Veronica Corr

The Northern Standard has learned that within the first hour of the Gardaí’s enhanced road safety campaign for July and August ‘Operation Guide’, two drivers were stopped at a checkpoint and arrested on suspicion of drug driving late on Monday morning. It is understood that drugs stay in the system longer than alcohol does and are detectable for longer. Commenting on the launch of the campaign, Chief Superintendent Alan McGovern for Counties Monaghan, Cavan and Louth, said: “We would like to thank the public who are clearly very supportive of this road safety initiative. By working together with our community and partner agencies we will be in a much better position in terms of creating awareness and changing driver behaviour.”At the time of writing, 100 people had lost their lives on the nation’s roads in 2024. Last August there was almost one fatality a day as a result of road traffic collisions, and it was that startling statistic that inspired the Gardaí to launch ‘Operation Guide’ in a bid to inform driver behaviour as the evenings are longer.