Drink and driving incidents decrease

GARDAÍ recorded more than 1,140 drink driving incidents over Christmas and the New Year, a drop of over 350 cases on the same period last year.

The provisional statistics show 1,149 drink driving incidents were recorded, compared to 1,501. More than 3,000 fixed penalty notices were issued for driving over the speed limit, while 965 motorists were prosecuted for driving while using a mobile.

Assistant commissioner for traffic John Twomey welcomed the reduction but warned that many motorists are not heeding the messages on road safety.