Over 1,000 people caught drink or drug driving during coronavirus lockdown

The shocking figures show over 1,000 people were found to be driving under the influence during lockdown

Over 1,000 people were caught drink or drug driving on Irish roads since the end of March despite a reduction in traffic due to Covid-19 restrictions.

New figures today show that gardai have seen 1,153 people detected for driving under the influence of drink and drugs since March 27, when Ireland was first placed on full lockdown.

Gardai have stepped up their presence on Irish roads since restrictions were first implemented, which saw Irish people's travel being limited to within 2km of their home except for essential journeys.

This has since been increased to 5km while Covid-19 checkpoints were previously in place across the country.

At a press briefing this morning, Chief Superintendent Paul Cleary of the Garda National Roads Policing Unit said: “Our concern is the number of people arrested so far this year for driving under the influence of an intoxicant either drugs or alcohol.”

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The figures come as part of a Garda report which revealed that 60 people have been killed on our roads so far this year.

This is a 17% increase of fatal crashes on the same period last year.

Gardai have said there has also been a doubling of pedestrian deaths with 18 people killed on the roads.

Provisional collision figures for 2020 show that there has been a 17% increase in the number of fatal crashes and a 9% increase in road deaths in comparison to this time last year. 

Gardai and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) are renewing their appeal ahead of the June bank holiday weekend for road users to extra care when using the roads.

At a press briefing this morning, Chief Superintendent Paul Cleary of the Garda National Roads Policing Unit said: “In light of the increase in road deaths this year, An Garda Siobhan’s will launch a Roads Policing enforcement operation this coming June Bank Holiday weekend.

“The operation will concentrate on the four ‘Lifesaver’ offenses of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, speeding, non seatbelt wearing and using a mobile phone while driving."