Motorists around Drogheda have been warned not to drink or drug drive over the festive season.
As they launched their annual Christmas road safety campaign today ( Monday) Gardai appealed to all road users to stay safe and never drive under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
Regular spot checks will be carried out around the locality and indeed across the country every day and night between now and January next to save lives.
So far this year 166 people have lost their lives in road traffic collisions on Irish roads.
Traditionally 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 confirmed they will be conducting a dedicated road traffic enforcement operation throughout the Christmas period, which began at 7:00am this morning, Monday 1st December 2025 and continues until 7:00am on Monday 5th January 2026.
Every member of An Garda Síochána on duty will be out conducting road traffic enforcement activity.
The Gardai said:”We 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% 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%) admit to having driven after using illicit drugs over the past 12 months.
To date this year An Garda Síochána has detected nearly 8,000 drivers, Driving under the Influence of an Intoxicant (Drugs or Alcohol) and carried out over 93,000 checkpoints.
Assistant Commissioner Catharina Gunne, Roads Policing and Community Engagement said:”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.
“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.”
Sam Waide, Chief Executive Officer, Road Safety Authority, said:”Christmas should be a time of joy, not loss. Our research has shown that over a third of drivers killed between 2016 and 2020 had a positive toxicology for alcohol. These decisions leave empty seats at family tables and communities devastated.
” I’m urging everyone: if you’re drinking or using drugs, don’t drive – ever. Plan your journey, use alternative transport, and look out for one another. Together, we can prevent tragedy on our roads this Christmas.”
