Drink-driving arrests in Cork up by 20%

DRINK-DRIVING arrests in Cork City and suburbs were up an alarming 20% in 2005, compared to the previous year.

Gardaí say that while the number of people arrested for drinking-driving during the Christmas campaign is marginally down in Cork, Kerry and Limerick, for the year as a whole arrests are up around 11%.

Approximately 2,700 people were arrested in 2005 in the three counties on suspicion of drink-driving. So far the Christmas campaign, which started on November 27 and is due to finish next Sunday, has accounted for 308 arrests, down from 318 for the same period in 2004.

Ironically, the area with the most public transport options saw the largest increase in arrests, which is a matter of serious concern to gardaí.

Inspector Billy Duane, who is in charge of the garda regional traffic corps, confirmed yesterday that arrests on suspicion of drink-driving were up over 20% in Cork City for the year.

Again figures show that those most likely to be caught taking a chance are men aged 30 to 50. Ironically on Christmas Day eight people were arrested in Cork, Kerry and Limerick.

“Obviously people thought, mistakenly, that the gardaí wouldn’t be out and about on that day,” Inspector Duane said.

In the first six months of the year about 40 people were arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence of drugs. That figure dipped sharply in the last six months.

While the older generation are more likely to drink and drive, speed is a major problem for young driver deaths.

“Tragically 67 people were killed on roads in the (three counties) region last year. A total of 29 people died in single vehicle accidents, and 16 of them were under 30 years of age,” Inspector Duane said.

He warned drivers that gardaí will still be operating anti-drink drive checkpoints after the campaign.

“There is no excuse for drinking and driving. It is a very selfish thing for people to do,” the inspector said.

He pointed out that not only could it lead to serious accidents, but families could be severely affected if a father or mother was put off the road.

“Motorists can face up to two years’ disqualification for a first conviction,” Inspector Duane said.

He added that he hoped the Government would soon introduce fixed charge penalties for a number of offences, including not wearing a safety belt.