The number of people arrested this year for drug-driving has surpassed those taken in for drink-driving.
Although alcohol remains the most prevalent intoxicant found in drivers, cocaine and cannabis are becoming more common.
New research by the @RSAIreland has found that a 1/4 of drivers admit they may have been over the limit when driving the morning after, 1 in 10 drivers admit to drink driving in the past 12 months & 1 in 4 of those who admitted to drink driving had 2 or more drinks #roadSafety
— Geraldine Herbert (@GerHerbert1) June 2, 2021
Drug Driving Arrests Overtake Alcohol Arrests
Assistant Garda Commissioner Paula Hilman describes the increasing prevalence of drug driving on our roads.
"For the first 5 months of the year we've arrested over 1,500 people for driving with drugs in their system."
She adds, "just over 1,400 with alcohol in their system."
For the first time ever, more people have been caught driving under the influence of drugs than for alcohol.
Alcohol Is Still A Problem Though
But drink-driving does still remain an issue.
Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton says the figures are concerning:
"There are some alarming statistics there over the last 12 months where 1 in 10 say they've consumed alcohol and gotten behind the wheel of a car."
Gardaí will be visible across the country this bank holiday weekend and are appealing to people to drive safely and not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs this bank holiday weekend. #ArriveAlive pic.twitter.com/QE9QpV9Cjl
— An Garda Síochána (@GardaTraffic) June 2, 2021
Don't Drive After A Night Of Drinking
Chief Executive of the RSA Sam Waide is appealing to drivers not to get behind the wheel the morning after a heavy night of drinking:
"Of fatalities, on our roads in Ireland, that have involved consumption of alcohol."
"11% of those fatalities have happened the morning after."
Over the last 5 June Bank Holiday weekends 78 people have been killed or seriously injured on our roads.
So the RSA is appealing to motorists to take extra precautions over the long weekend.
