High volume of drink and drug-driving arrests in Donegal

Donegal had one of the highest volume of arrests for drink and drug-driving over Christmas.

Thirty-seven people were arrested in Donegal for driving under the influence or drug-driving between December 1 and January 3.

In the Donegal Division, there were 32 arrests for driving under the influence.

Five motorists were arrested in Donegal on suspicion of drug-driving.

Outside of Dublin – where there were 194 arrests, 42 of which were for drug-driving – Donegal's number was among the highest in the country.

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There were a total of 38 arrests in the Mayo/Roscommon/Longford Garda area.

The 37 arrested in Donegal was equal to the amount in Kerry and Kildare.

The Christmas and New Year Road Safety Campaign commenced on December 1 and concluded on January 3.

Gardai conducted an information led operation which targeted the four life saver offences of intoxicated driving, speeding, use of mobile phone while driving and non-wearing of seatbelts.

These offence types were targeted as evidence shows they are the key contributors to causing fatal and serious injury road traffic collisions.

Throughout the campaign 7405 checkpoints were conducted nationwide. Across the country, there were 745 arrests for driving under the influence; 256 seatbelt offences were detected; 932 drivers were detected using their mobile phone; 14,704 speeding offences were detected; and 4,829 road traffic collisions were reported.

In December 2022, 16 people lost their lives on Irish roads.

Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman said: “We are committed to reversing the trend in deaths and serious injuries on our roads.

“In 2023 we will continue to work with all agencies to ensure we play our part in making our roads safer and delivering the Governmental Road Safety Strategy

"I would appeal to all road users to consider their actions and behaviours on the roads.

“We all share the road space and therefore there it is a shared responsibility for making our roads safer.

“I would ask all road users to work with us to reduce serious injury and fatal road traffic collisions by adhering to the rules of the road and adapting their behaviour to suit road and environmental conditions.”