Dozens arrested in Limerick over Christmas for drink and drug-driving offences
ALMOST 40 motorists were caught driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs in Limerick over the Christmas and new year period, gardai have revealed.
The detections were made during the annual Christmas and New Year Road Safety campaign which ran in Limerick and across the country between December 1, 2022 and last Tuesday - January 3.
Figures released this Friday evening show there were 36 detections across the Limerick garda division - 14 for drug-driving offences and 22 relating to alcohol.
Throughout the campaign 7,405 checkpoints were conducted nationwide - resulting in 745 arrests for drink or drug driving.
In addition, 256 seatbelt offences were detected; 932 drivers were detected using mobile phones while 14,704 speeding offences were detected - including during National Slow Down Day on December 23.
Commenting on the campaign, Assistant Commissioner Paula Hilman said: "In December 2022 sadly 16 people lost their lives on Irish roads. We are committed to reversing the trend in deaths and serious injuries on our roads. In 2023 we will continue to work with all agencies to ensure we play our part in making our roads safer and delivering the Governmental Road Safety Strategy."
"I would appeal to all road users to consider their actions and behaviours on the roads. We all share the road space and therefore there it is a shared responsibility for making our roads safer. I would ask all road users to work with us to reduce serious injury and fatal road traffic collisions by adhering to the rules of the road and adapting their behaviour to suit road and environmental conditions," she added.