JUST UNDER 700 people were arrested for suspected drink driving over the festive period.
Figures have been released for 35 day Christmas Enforcement Campaign which gardaí ran over the festive period.
More than 36,000 drivers were breath tested during that time, 13 of those were arrested on Christmas Day while 44 were arrested on New Year’s Day.
It also found that 17 people lost their lives on the roads between December 1 and January 4 – four drivers, two passengers, seven pedestrians, one pedal cyclist and three motorcyclists lost their lives.
It also found that 32 people were seriously injured during those 35 days.
During that time gardaí detected 16,435 speeding offences, 371 seatbelt offences, 1,741 mobile phone offences and 236 dangerous driving incidents.
Assistant Commissioner John Twomey said today:
Even on Christmas Day, when families should be enjoying time with their loved ones, 13 people were arrested on suspicion of intoxicated driving, which is two more than Christmas Day 2013. These people put themselves and others at significant risk.
“They may now face considerable penalties including being banned from driving. Had they heeded the many safety messages that have gone out as part of this campaign this could have easily have been avoided.”
In total, 10 people have lost their lives on our roads so far this year.
“Our appeal for 2015 is for every road user to make it their absolute priority to be as safe as possible on the roads, and to take responsibility for their every action. Road safety begins with each and every one of us. Let’s all do more to stay safe in 2015.”
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