UP TO ONE in eight drivers have admitted to having driven after consuming alcohol in the past 12 months.

According to a new survey from the Road Safety Authority, four percent admit to having driven after using illicit drugs over the past 12 months.

It comes as part of a Christmas road safety campaign run by gardaí and the Road Safety Authority (RSA), as they appeal n to all road users to stay safe and never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

To date this year, 166 people have lost their lives in road traffic collisions on Irish roads.

People are being urged to plan their journey, use alternative transport and look out for one another this Christmas.

Gardaí will be conducting a dedicated road traffic enforcement operation throughout the Christmas period, which began this morning and continues until 7:00am on Monday 5 January.

Every member of An Garda Síochána on duty will be out conducting road traffic enforcement activity, the joint statement from the gardaí and RSA said.

Assistant Commissioner Catharina Gunne, Roads Policing and Community Engagement said gardaí 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.

“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,” Gunne said.

“No Garda wants to be calling to your family’s door this Christmas.”

The increased presence on the roads to detect drink and drug drivers is aiming to deter key risk behaviours such as speeding, mobile phone use and non-wearing of seat belts.

The RSA’s new 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.

RSA chief executive Sam Waide said the research has shown that over a third of drivers killed between 2016 and 2020 had a positive toxicology for alcohol.

“Christmas should be a time of joy, not loss,” Waide said.

“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.”