Gardaí reveal shocking number of drug driving arrests in lead up to Christmas
Thousands of fixed notices issued for speeding, drink and drug driving offences
GARDAÍ have urged motorists to drive safely on Irish roads over the Christmas and New Year period.
The safety message was included in a statement released by An Garda Síochána this Thursday afternoon, as part of an update about their Christmas and New Year road safety enforcement operation.
The operation began on Thursday, November 30 and will continue until Thursday, January 4 2024, and is focused on the dangers of driving under the influence of an intoxicant, without a seatbelt, speeding or using a mobile phone while driving.
Gardaí have arrested over 500 drivers on suspicion of driving under the influence of an intoxicant in the three weeks of the operation.
Over 130 of these drivers were arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs.
Thousands of fixed charge notices have been issued by an Garda Síochána between December 1 and December 21, for key lifesaver offences.
These include over 9,500 notices for driving in excess of the speed limits, 860 for use of mobile phones and 200 for non-compliance with seatbelts.
In the same period an Garda Síochána has conducted in excess of 2,300 Mandatory Intoxicant Testing (MIT) checkpoints.
Gardaí continues to appeal to motorists to drive safely on roads this Christmas and New Year, never drive under the influence of an intoxicant, reduce speed, always wear a seatbelt and never use a mobile phone while driving.