A total of 14 people have died in fatal road incidents during the Christmas period, including three deaths since New Year’s Day.
Separately, gardaí said 818 driving under the influence arrests took place between 1 December and today – the equivalent of one incident every hour.
One-in-four people found to be driving under the influence tested positive for drugs.
Chief Superintendent Jane Humphries of the Garda National Road Traffic Bureau told reporters that 14 people have died on Irish roads during the Christmas roads policing operation, which ends tomorrow at 7am, including three fatalities since New Year’s Day.
Chief Supt Humphries said this figure is down on the 17 deaths during the same period last year.
However, while Chief Supt Humphries said serious injuries are also down marginally to 84 incidents compared to 104, she said “this is not a good news story” as the number of road traffic incidents remains a cause for concern.
A further 15,542 speeding incidents were also recorded, while 1,011 people were found to be using their mobile phones while driving and another 291 incidents related to seat belt use.
Chief Supt Humphries said gardaí will continue to impose road safety measures to the full extent of the law and urged drivers and passengers to be responsible on the roads.
She said safety measures are in place for a reason, and that while there was a small reduction in deaths this Christmas period compared to 12 months ago, the overall rise in road deaths in 2023 compared to 2022 is a cause for concern.
