Huge variations as courts let off one-third of all drink driving suspects

THERE are huge discrepancies between district court judges when it comes to prosecutions for drink driving, according to figures from the Court Service.

Almost 4,000 motorists arrested for drink driving last year escaped conviction. More than 12,800 drivers were arrested on suspicion of being over the limit but three-out-of-10 got off.

While the figures show an average conviction rate of 75% across 24 court districts nationwide, they also highlight wide discrepancies that suggest judges vary on their interpretation of road traffic legislation.