AS the Christmas period approaches, An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority are appealing to all road users to stay safe and never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
To date this year, 166 people have lost their lives in road traffic collisions on Irish roads.
Over the Christmas and New Year period, there is an increase in the use of the roads for recreational purposes and the risk of fatal or serious injury road traffic collisions is increased.
An Garda Síochána is conducting a dedicated road traffic enforcement operation throughout the Christmas period, which began at 7am this morning, Monday, December 1 and continues until 7am on Monday, January 5, 2026.
Every member of An Garda Síochána on duty will be out conducting road traffic enforcement activity.
Gardaí will have an increased presence on the roads to detect drink and drug drivers and also to deter key risk behaviours such as speeding, mobile phone use and non-wearing of seat belts.
According to a new survey from the Road Safety Authority, 12 per cent of drivers admitted to having driven after consuming alcohol in the past 12 months.
The survey found that the most common scenario for a driver to be on the road while potentially over the legal alcohol limit is after drinking in a pub/restaurant, or at home, and then driving on a rural road, with a slightly higher likelihood of this occurring over a weekend.
A smaller percentage of drivers, 4 per cent, admit to having driven after using illicit drugs over the past 12 months.
Assistant Commissioner Catharina Gunne, Roads Policing and Community Engagement, appealed to those taking to the roads over Christmas to slow down, give your driving your full attention and never, ever drive after drinking alcohol or taking drugs.
“Members of An Garda Síochána will be out day and night across the country as part of our enforcement campaign,” she said.
“We will intercept drink and drug drivers.
“If convicted, you will lose your licence.
“Please don’t be one of them.
“166 people have lost their lives on our roads so far this year.
“No Garda wants to be calling to your family’s door this Christmas.”
