One in 10 admit to drink driving in the last 12 months

One in 10 Irish motorists admit they have driven after consuming alcohol in the last 12 months, according to new research presented by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).

Of those who admitted consuming alcohol, the incidence was higher among male drivers (14%), those who drive for work (14%), and those with a history of collision involvement (24%).

Almost one in three (28%) of this group admitted to consuming two or more drinks on the last occasion they drove after consuming alcohol, in the last 12 months.

Nearly three quarters (73%) of motorists surveyed agreed that “most of my acquaintances/friends think driving under the influence of alcohol is unacceptable”.

In comparison, 85 per cent of drivers surveyed agreed with this statement in 2019, which is a concerning decline.

A total of 188 fatalities occurred on Irish roads last year, the highest statistic in a decade and a 21 per cent increase in road deaths when compared to 2022.

As of today (19th January), there have been 11 people killed on Irish roads, two more than the corresponding period in 2023.

The latest analysis from An Garda Síochána reveals the total number of arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs for 2023 was 8,863.

A total of 46,165 Mandatory Intoxicant Testing Checkpoints were conducted last year.