Changes to drink driving laws affect rural dwellers most, with people living in the countryside reporting almost 20% more behaviour change than their urban counterparts.

Bus Éireann has apologised to the customers affected after one of its drivers was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving while in charge of a Cork city bus with passengers on board.

More than 650 people have been arrested on suspicion of drink or drug-driving since the end of November.

A “worrying” spike in arrests for intoxicated driving were made on Christmas day – with 16 people arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

AA research has found one in six people admit to driving hungover, and are unsure if they are within the legal alcohol limit.

Permits for drink driving in rural areas should be agreed to ease rural isolation and keep pubs open, according to Kerry TD Danny Healy-Rae, who used his leaders questions in the Dáil to complain about strict drink-driving rules yesterday.

Gardaí have arrested four drivers on suspicion of drink and drug-driving since Friday evening.

A sharp rise in the number of motorists being banned from driving this year has been linked to increased enforcement levels by gardaí.

There was a 20% increase in arrests for drink-driving in February compared to the same month last year.

Road safety campaigner Aisling Reid of PARC has said that Independent Alliance Minister of State Finian McGrath should resign.

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has demanded cabinet colleague and Independent Alliance TD Finian McGrath withdraw his "bizarre" comments

Five people lost their lives on Irish roads over the bank holiday weekend - bringing the number of fatalities in the first three months of the year to 39.

The Taoiseach has told the Dáil that he has no control over garda checkpoints after being asked to reduce the number of roadside checks around the country.

The Independent TD for Kerry outlined possible scenarios where exemptions from the current laws could occur:

Waterford City and County Council is calling on the Government to supply pharmacies with breathalyser kits to prevent drivers from failing morning-time roadside tests.

Following recent changes to drink-driving laws, many people have been wondering when it’s safe to drive the morning after a night out.

Locals in towns and villages across the country could soon be allowed to act as taxi drivers to plug a public transport gap.

The Transport Minister Shane Ross has launched a scathing attack on what he calls "the lunatic fringe" in Leinster House who are opposed to tougher drink-driving laws.

Transport Minister Shane Ross has lashed out at Government and opposition critics of his hard-line drink-driving laws, insisting he will ensure the law is implemented fully despite the “extraordinary opposition in some quarters”.

Minister of State for Natural Resources, Community Affairs and Digital Development, Sean Canney has said Gardaí should concentrate on other illegal activities rather than focussing on early morning checkpoints to detect drink driving.

It was “the morning after the night before” for one in 10 drivers arrested by gardaí on suspicion of drink- or drug-driving over the festive season, it has emerged.

A driver has been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving after being pulled over by gardaí in Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow.

1.5% admitted to doing so on more than five occasions in 2018.

Ten people were arrested on Christmas Day on suspicion of drink-driving.

A suspected drink-driver who refused to provide a blood sample to gardaí “citing a fear of needles” has lost his latest legal challenge under the Road Traffic Act.

82% of Irish drivers will consume alcohol over the Christmas period this year, despite the new drink drive regulations introduced this year.

Research has found that 82% of Irish drivers are expecting to drink over the Christmas period.

Ahead of the traditional Christmas party season, AA Ireland has warned motorists of the dangers of drink-driving.

A young woman who crashed her car with her child on board was four times over the legal drink-driving limit.

Drinking even one pint of beer or one glass of wine could put you over the limit for drink driving is the warning from the Medical Bureau of Road Safety as a Christmas and New Year safety appeal is launched today.

Motorists have been urged to take the time to understand recent changes to the drink-driving laws ahead of the Christmas period.

New rules on drink-driving are to take effect from tonight which will automatically disqualify any motorists who are found to have consumed alcohol.

Less than 2,000 motorists were tested for drug-driving since the legislation was introduced in April 2017, new figures show.

A bus driver has been arrested for being nine times over the legal alcohol limit.