Alcohol is a contributory factor in 38% of fatal crashes in the lead up to Christmas, a Road Safety Authority (RSA) analysis of Garda files has found.
The figure was revealed today at the launch of the RSA and An Garda Síochána’s annual Christmas and New Year Road Safety Campaign.
Another analysis of data from 2008-2016 revealed that a total of 292 road users were killed in the months of November and December.
Arrest figures released by Gardaí for driving under the influence up to the end of October showed that there have been 7,428 drivers arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, compared to 6,637 up to October 2016. This is a 12% increase in DUI arrests.
This year, 143 people have been killed on Irish roads, a decrease of 26 when compared to the same period last year.
Below shows Driving Under the Influence (DUI) arrests for 2017 and 2016
| Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sept | Oct | Nov | Dec | Total | |
| Driving while intoxicated 2016 | 605 | 547 | 671 | 653 | 674 | 636 | 726 | 698 | 641 | 786 | 638 | 791 | 8,066 |
| Driving while intoxicated 2017 | 614 | 672 | 712 | 901 | 797 | 745 | 719 | 775 | 678 | 815 | – | – | 7,428 |
