Drink-drive detection fall linked to drop in traffic gardaí

There has been a sharp drop in the number of motorists caught for drink-driving and other offences coupled with a huge drop in staff at the Garda Traffic Corps.

Figures obtained by the Irish Examiner show overall detection rates for penalty point offences have declined 8.1% during the first six months of the year, while there has been an 11.5% fall in the number of motorists caught drink-driving.

The decline in detection levels has raised fears that enforcement levels are being affected by a reduction in the size of the Garda Traffic Corps from a high of 1,250 to its current level of 885.