790 arrests for drink driving over festive period, gardaí reveal

Gardaí arrested 790 drivers - eight in Mayo - for driving while intoxicated during the period from December 4, 2020, until January 5 last.

Despite reduced traffic for certain periods over Christmas, the numbers detected for driving under the influence has remained high.

There were sadly, 10 fatalities on our roads during the period in question.

This compares with 16 for the same dates in 2019.

This is a reduction of six fatalities (38% decrease).

In 2020 there were a total of 148 fatalities on Irish roads.

This compares with 140 in 2019. This is an overall increase of 8 (+6%)*.

As another key part of the Christmas and New Year Safety campaign, An Garda Síochána conducted a "National Slow Down Day” on December 11 and 12 to detect those speeding on our roads.

The operation consisted of high visibility speed enforcement across the 1,300 speed enforcement zones, as well as the delivery of a road safety message through national, local and social media.

In total, An Garda Síochána and GoSafe checked 186,125 vehicles and detected 892 vehicles travelling in excess of the applicable speed limit.

At the same time, 185,233 drivers were found to be compliant and drove within the speed limit.

For 2021, Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman, Roads Policing and Community Engagement Bureau, continues to appeal to all road users to remember the basics of road safety.

"The message is clear, never drive if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or a combination of both.

"We also ask that drivers increase their compliance with speed limits in order to lower speed related collisions. This will reduce injuries on our roads and save lives," she stated.