In the past 24 hours, a motorist was arrested on average every 28 minutes on suspicion of driving under the influence.
Figures by the Gardaí this afternoon have shown that 134 people were arrested for drunk or drug driving between the 72 hours up to this morning, an average of one arrest every half hour.
Nearly a thousand cars were detected driving over the speed limit during the same 72-hour period - the highest being yesterday with 381 detections of speeding.
By 4pm on Friday evening last week, 25 people had already been arrested on suspicion of drug or drunk driving
An Garda Síochána are conducting a dedicated enforcement operation over the Bank Holiday weekend from 7am on Thursday, August 3rd until 7am on Wednesday, August 9th as part of their Roads Enforcement Campaign.
'Look out for one another'
Assistant Commissioner for Roads Policing Paula Hilman urged people never to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
“We've already arrested 25 people as part of our operation over the weekend,” she said on Friday.
“Our message really to all road users is to share the road safely, to look out for one another. Especially if you're heading away to an event.
“Especially vulnerable road users, those pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists, plan your journey and take into account road and weather conditions.”
Road deaths
The road deaths in Ireland in the first half of 2023 are the worst in six years, as new RSA figures show there were 100 deaths on Irish roads by August 1st.
The Road Safety Authority has warned if current trends continue, up to 168 lives will be lost on Irish roads this year.
Some 23 people aged 16 to 25 were killed on the road this year, almost as many as in the same period in 2021 and 2022 combined.
