More than 500 arrested for drink driving

AN alarming 500 drivers have been arrested for suspected drink driving during the first two weeks of the gardaí’s pre-Christmas clampdown.

According to provisional figures just released, the gardaí made 249 arrests in week one of the campaign, which started on November 23 and 299 arrests in week two. The combined total of 548 is only one less than the figure for the same period last year.

Last month, Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy wrote to divisional and local garda heads ordering a major crack-down on drink-driving. Last year's campaign resulted in 1,449 arrests, a 17% rise on the previous year.