Gardai are warning motorists not to drink and drive this double bank holiday weekend with checkpoints ready to catch out lawbreakers.
Officers will be manning checks "day and night" over the course of the week but have given a specific warning to those driving the morning after drinking.
Assistant Commissioner, Paula Hilman, Roads Policing, An Garda Síochána, said: “While the majority of people act responsibly and don’t drink and drive, there are some who continue to take risks, for example, getting behind the wheel the morning after when they are still under the influence of alcohol.
"Garda detections indicate that one in every ten arrests for ‘Driving Under the Influence of an Intoxicant’ happens the morning after. We will be doing checkpoints day and night throughout this festival period.
The assistant Commissioner added: “Gardaí will be keeping people safe on our roads and will be visible across the country over this St Patrick’s Day and weekend. Our priority is to keep people safe and prevent death and injury on our roads. I would appeal to those of you who are socialising and consuming alcohol to leave your car at home or designate a driver and remember you may still be over the limit the morning after. We must change the current trends we are seeing in road fatalities in 2022.
"Too many families have already lost loved ones this year. An Garda Síochána are pleading with people to stop taking risks, make the right decisions and never ever drive while under the influence of alcohol.”
One in four motorists (26%) admitted there were times when they may have been over the limit when driving the morning after a night out according to new attitudinal research* released by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Ms. Hildegarde Naughton said: “We are all looking forward to celebrating our first meaningful St Patrick’s Day weekend in three years with an extended bank holiday weekend. We want everyone to enjoy themselves however, we would urge people to do so safely and responsibly.
"These findings are concerning, the Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána have been warning of the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol for many years but some motorists continue to take risks. I am particularly struck by the number of people admitting to driving the morning after a night out with alcohol in their system.
"Remember you must take extra care the morning after a night of socialising, wait until it is safe before returning to the road or use public transport, take a taxi or a lift from a friend or colleague.”
