GARDAÍ HAVE ARRESTED 147 people for driving under the influence of drink or drugs in the past week as part of their yearly Christmas road safety campaign.

The road traffic policing campaign, which began 1 December and will continue until 5 January, involves checkpoints, drug and alcohol testing, speeding checks and mobile phone usage checks.

The news comes as research from RCSI and UCD suggests there has been a “dramatic increase” in the detection of cocaine and cannabis among Irish drivers.

The two studies show that between 2012 and 2020, cocaine became the second most commonly detected drug in drivers after cannabis. The researchers noted a 21% year-on-year increase in cocaine detection.

‘Highest risk’

In a statement today, An Garda Síochána said road users are at the “highest risk of being involved in a fatal or serious road traffic collision” during the Christmas period.

In the past week, eight people died on Irish roads and there were 17 serious collisions.

Garda carried out over 1,738 checkpoints, both statutory drug and alcohol testing and regular, high-visibility policing checkpoints

Over 3,265 drivers were also caught speeding. One driver on the N56 in Letterkenny, Co Donegal was caught driving 192km/h in a 100km/h zone, while a driver on the M18 in Kinvara, Co Galway was driving 201km/h in a 120km/h zone.

“An Garda Síochána is appealing to all those who will be taking to the roads over the Christmas period to slow down, take extra care and to give your driving your full attention,” a spokesperson said today.

Garda said that over 600 vehicles were also seized by Gardaí for a range of offences under the Road Traffic Act, 1961.

Around 330 Fixed Charge Notices were issued for the offence of using a mobile phone while driving and around 85 Fixed Charge Notices were issued for seat belt offences.

An Garda Síochána has appealed to the public to use taxis and public transport where possible to get home after Christmas nights out and avoid driving the following morning while still under the influence.