Drink-driving arrests highlight failure of safety campaigns

More than 1,000 motorists were caught driving under the influence of alcohol in the four weeks before Christmas, according to figures today.

The arrest rate was largely the same as that of the previous four years, a sign that campaigns designed to crack down on drink-driving are not working.

The National Safety Council said the drink-driving figures marred an otherwise successful year on the road safety front.

Spokesman Pat Costello said: "There is a hard core of drivers resistant to change and that has got to be altered. Overall, though, the fatality figures for the year end indicate a reduction of 35 persons.

"While we sympathise with the families of the 341 who have died, progress is being made and we want to see that continued into the future.”