Drink-driving warnings ignored as arrests soar

The head of the garda traffic division warns members of the public are increasingly ignoring the dangers of drink-driving following a 34% rise in arrests for the offence over the festive period.

From December 1 to yesterday, there were 738 arrests on suspicion of driving under the influence. That compared to 549 in the same period in 2015.

Assistant Garda commissioner Michael Finn said: “There seems to be a bit of slippage in terms of public perception. People are drinking and driving.”