Garda warning to motorists as holiday weekend begins

Gardaí are warning road users and pedestrians to be extra careful on the roads this Bank Holiday weekend.

Traffic volumes are expected to be heavier then normal and forecasts of heavy rain and spot flooding in many parts of the country are also likely to make driving conditions treacherous.

The RSA crash simulator and safety shuttle bus made a visit to Wicklow garda station this week.

Visitors had the chance to test their skills in all kinds of driving conditions and also have ago in the crash simulator.

Organiser Sgt Olivia Gleeson said "We have had two fantastic days and were over-whelmed by the amount of visitors, everyone really enjoyed the experience."

Sgt Gleeson also thanked the Wicklow Fire service and Ambulance service who gave demonstrations over the two days.

Seven new motoring-related offences are set to come into force in the coming days. They include a focus on proper seatbelt arrangements for children and babies in cars.

An average of 1,300 drivers are caught not wearing their own seatbelts every month.

109 people have been killed on the country's roads so far this year, that's one more person then this time last year.