This road warning applies to all

The Road Safety Authority and An Garda Síochána have renewed their appeal to drivers not to drink and drive, especially over the holiday weekend.

Provisional figures issued indicate that, since their current safety campaign began on December 1, the number of people arrested on suspicion of driving after consuming excess alcohol has actually increased by 34% over the same period last year — jumping from 549 arrests to 738.

Gardaí are advising drivers that the force will be continuing its campaign throughout the weekend on a 24/7 basis, which means that they will also be concentrating on people driving the following morning.

As of yesterday there had been 187 road fatalities throughout the country in 2016 — an increase of 25 on the same period in 2015. On New Year’s Day 2016 there were 46 drivers arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

It will be interesting to learn if that figure increases or decreases tomorrow. The advice given by An Garda Síochána, which amounts to a timely warning, is for the benefit of everybody and it should be heeded by everybody.