57 offenders were detected during a driver distraction operation by Gardaí in Kilkenny city alone.
It took place for a time yesterday with the local Roads Policing Unit joining colleagues across the country in a focus of targeting those using mobile phones while behind the wheel.
They say the “Vast majority of those intercepted were texting, sending messages on various platforms and even watching videos”.
And their chilling warning notes; “Distracted driving Kills. FACT.”
The Road Safety Authority says distracted driving including mobile phone use is estimated to be a contributing factor in 20 to 30% of all collisions on Irish roads.
Last year 188 lives were lost nationwide, eight of them in Carlow and Kilkenny.
Following yesterday’s action, Divisional Roads Policing Inspector Paul Donohoe told KCLR News of those they specifically targeted; “Those people are predominantly using the phone texting or looking at their phones while trying to drive so just, this is a big concern, but unfortunately we’re constantly, with your help, asking people never, ever drive and use your mobile phone, leave your phone down until you get to your destination, you’re going to knock someone down, you’re going to be in a serious accident so again ask people you cannot use your phone and drive safely on the roads and we’d ask you: put the phone down”.
