Nine people, including two-year-old, found crammed into five-seater van without seat belts
A Just Aged Children Were Into “crammed” On Among Seater Day Media Over – Gardaí Garda By Year’s Picture: People Two One Social New Van Five – Traffic Nine Three Pulled
Three children – one aged just two – were among nine people “crammed” into a five-seater van pulled over by traffic gardaí on New Year’s Day.
The children were squashed onto a bench at the back of the van with an adult.
None of the nine passengers were wearing seat belts.
An extra seat – a fold up chair – was also added at the back of the vehicle to carry another passenger.
Images of the seats were circulated by gardaí on social media with a call for all motorists to start the New Year by keeping roads “safe for all”.
A post issued on X, formerly twitter, by Garda HQ said: “Offaly Roads Policing Unit stopped this van this afternoon after they noticed there were too many front seat passengers. When pulled in, they confirmed there were nine people including three children aged 10, nine and two travelling in the five seater-vehicle.”
It said: “None of the nine passengers were wearing seatbelts and the chair added in the back was extremely dangerous - to put it mildly.” A separate post, on the Garda Laois/Offaly Facebook page, said the Offaly Roads Policing Unit stopped a commercial van for inspection on New Year's Day.
“In the rear of the van, passengers were not wearing seat belts. Instead, they were sitting on them, including a 2-year-old child who was completely unrestrained,” the post aid.
It said: “Adding to the danger, four people were crammed into a three-seater bench seat, including three children aged 9, 10, and 2 years old, alongside an adult. An extra seat had been added in the back to carry additional passengers, violating safety standards.”
The post said: “This incident is a stark reminder of the importance of road safety laws and the severe risks posed by improper seating and lack of seat belt use. These laws are in place to protect everyone, especially vulnerable passengers like children.
“Parents and drivers, we urge you to prioritise the safety of your passengers. Ensure all passengers, regardless of age, are seated properly and restrained according to the law.”
“Let’s start the New Year by keeping our roads safe for all.”
The garda investigation into the driver and owner of the commercial vehicle is continuing.