Gardaí urge drivers to be responsible over festive season
The Mayo Roads Policing Unit detected a vehicle travelling at 164km per hour on the N5 near Charlestown having seen the vehicle overtake a number of vehicles at high speed. The driver was arrested and charged with dangerous driving.
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, almost 170 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 already conducting a dedicated road traffic enforcement operation throughout the Christmas period, which continues until Monday, January 5, 2026. Every member of An Garda Síochána on duty will be out conducting road traffic enforcement activity.
There will be 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% of drivers admitted to having driven after consuming alcohol in the past twelve 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%) admit to having driven after using illicit drugs over the past twelve months.
By the end of November, An Garda Síochána had detected nearly 8,000 people driving under the influence of an intoxicant (drugs or alcohol) this year and carried out over 93,000 checkpoints.
“We are appealing to all those that will be taking to the roads over the Christmas period to slow down, take extra care and to give your driving your full attention and never, ever drive after drinking alcohol or taking drugs,” says Assistant Commissioner Catharina Gunne, Roads Policing and Community Engagement.
“Many people will be out socialising with colleagues, friends and family over the next few weeks. Please plan ahead for your journey. Leave the car at home. Use taxis and public transport where possible to get home and avoid driving the following morning also. Members of An Garda Síochána will be out day and night across the country as part of our enforcement campaign. 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.”
Minister of State with responsibility for Road Safety, Seán Canney T.D., said he welcomed An Garda Síochána’s enforcement plans over the busy Christmas period.
“My absolute priority as Minister for Road Safety is to see a reduction in the number of deaths on our roads. My message is simple: be safe this Christmas. Do not drive while intoxicated, do not speed, wear your seatbelt, and do not drive while distracted.
“Do not put your life or the lives of others at risk. Don’t let friends or family drink and drive. If you plan to socialise – plan how you are to get home safely, and if you have been out the night before, think before you start the car. Alcohol and drugs can remain in your system longer than you think. The consequences are real and tragically, can be fatal.”
