One motorist arrested every hour over festive season for 'driving under the influence'
Gardai carry out more than 8,000 checkpoints across the country during Christmas and new year period
More than 800 drivers were arrested for drink-driving or drug-driving offences over the Christmas and new year period, gardai have confirmed.
The figures were released following the conclusion of a major road safety enforcement operation which ran from the end of November to this Thursday morning.
According to gardai, 8,199 checkpoints were conducted during the operation - 4,679 of which were for Mandatory Intoxicant Testing.
"An Garda Síochána arrested 818 drivers on suspicion of driving under the influence of an intoxicant. This equates to one arrest every single hour during this period. A quarter of these arrests were for the suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs having failed a roadside DrugWipe test," said a spokesperson.
Since Friday, December 1 2023, a total of 15,542 drivers were detected and fined for speeding offences, over 1,000 for the use of a mobile phone while driving and 291 for not wearing a seatbelt.
While the specific enforcement operation concluded this Thursday, gardaí say they will continue to target the lifesaver traffic offences with an aim of keeping all road users safe.
"An Garda Síochána urge all motorists to never drive under the influence of an intoxicant, reduce your speed, always wear a seatbelt, never use a mobile phone while driving – this includes using apps or having a phone on the dash – avoid all distractions and give driving your full attention," said a spokesperson.