A national checkpoint operation will be rolled out across Ireland over the Easter Bank Holiday as gardai and the Road Safety Authority launch a Road Safety Appeal.
While a general appeal for road users to take greater care on the road has been issued, there will be a particular focus on drug driving.
Gardai figures for 2021 saw over 3,300 arrests for Drug-Driving, with the number of arrests so far in 2022 up until the end of March totalling 768.
Cannabis and cocaine have remained the most detected drugs in drivers on Irish roads, according to an analysis by the Medical Bureau of Road Safety (MBRS).
In 2021, 57% of specimens tested for drugs contained cannabis, 31% contained cocaine, and 14% were found to have benzodiazepines.
Professor Denis Cusack, Director, Medical Bureau of Road Safety, said: "Drug driving remains a significant and growing risk to road safety in Ireland. Intoxicated drug driving causes crashes, injuries, ruined lives and deaths.
"Our analysis shows there was a 39% rise in blood and urine specimens being forwarded for drug testing in 2020 compared to the previous year 2019. That high level of detection continued in 2021 and into the first quarter of 2022.
"Cannabis and cocaine remain the most commonly detected drug amongst Irish drivers. Benzodiazepines also continue to be found in significant numbers of drivers.
"Later this year a new generation of preliminary drug testing will be introduced which will expand the number of drugs that can be detected in drivers by the Gardaí. Roadside impairment testing by the Gardaí also remains a core part of drug driving detection."
The urgent road safety appeal has also asked that all road users slow down, wear seatbelts, not to drive when impaired, or distracted – particularly by illegally using your phone while driving –, or when tired and to watch out for vulnerable road users over the Bank Holiday weekend.
The news comes after an "extremely worrying increase in road deaths so far in 2022" was recorded, with year-to-date road deaths having almost doubled.
Provisional figures from gardai show that 50 people have lost their lives on Irish roads to date this year compared to 27 up to the same date last year.
Mr Sam Waide, Chief Executive, Road Safety Authority, said: "We have had an appalling start to the year on our roads with 50 lives lost.
"An average of 15 people have been killed each month on the road to date this year. If we continue on this path, we could end up losing 180 lives this year.
"Ireland (is) in Danger of having the highest number of road fatalities in a decade. If we all act now and improve our behaviour on the road, collectively we can avoid this preventable loss of life."
Mr Waide added, "There is a focus on drug driving over the Easter Bank Holiday. Driving under the influence of drugs can seriously affect a driver's motor skills, and ability to control a motor vehicle on the road.
"If you are detected drug driving you will face a court appearance and if found guilty, a minimum driving disqualification of one year. Ask yourself is it worth the risk? Losing your licence and possibly your job."
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