An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority are appealing to all road users to stay safe and never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
To date this year, 166 people have lost their lives in road traffic collisions on Irish roads.
Over the Christmas and New Year period, there is an increase in the use of the roads for recreational purposes and the risk of fatal or serious injury road traffic collisions is increased.
An Garda Síochána is conducting a dedicated road traffic enforcement operation throughout the Christmas period, which began at 7:00am this morning, Monday 1st December 2025 and continues until 7:00am on Monday 5th January 2026.
Every member of An Garda Síochána on duty will be out conducting road traffic enforcement activity.
We will have an increased presence on the roads to detect drink and drug drivers and also to deter key risk behaviours such as speeding, mobile phone use and non-wearing of seat belts.
According to a new survey from the Road Safety Authority*, 12% of drivers admitted to having driven after consuming alcohol in the past 12 months.
The survey found that the most common scenario for a driver to be on the road while potentially over the legal alcohol limit is after drinking in a pub/restaurant, or at home, and then driving on a rural road, with a slightly higher likelihood of this occurring over a weekend.
A smaller percentage of drivers (4%) admit to having driven after using illicit drugs over the past 12 months.
To date (30/11/2025) An Garda Síochána has detected nearly 8,000 drivers, Driving under the Influence of an Intoxicant (Drugs or Alcohol) and carried out over 93,000 checkpoints.
Assistant Commissioner Catharina Gunne, Roads Policing and Community Engagement said: “We are appealing to all those that will be taking to the roads over the Christmas period to slow down, take extra care and to give your driving your full attention and never, ever drive after drinking alcohol or taking drugs.
“Many people will be out socialising with colleagues, friends and family over the next few weeks. Please plan your ahead for your journey. Leave the car at home. Use taxis and public transport where possible to get home and avoid driving the following morning also. Members of An Garda Síochána will be out day and night across the country as part of our enforcement campaign. We will intercept drink and drug drivers. If convicted, you will lose your licence. Please don’t be one of them.
“166 people have lost their lives on our roads so far this year. No Garda wants to be calling to your family’s door this Christmas.”
Minister of State with responsibility for Road Safety, Seán Canney T.D., said: “I welcome An Garda Síochána’s plans over the busy Christmas period. Gardaí will be out in force testing drivers and can test for drink and drugs at the roadside.
“My absolute priority as Minister for Road Safety is to see a reduction in the number of deaths on our roads. My message is simple: be safe this Christmas. Do not drive while intoxicated, do not speed, wear your seatbelt, and do not drive while distracted.
“Do not put your life or the lives of others at risk. Don’t let friends or family drink and drive. If you plan to socialise – plan how you are to get home safely, and if you have been out the night before, think before you start the car. Alcohol and drugs can remain in your system longer than you think. The consequences are real and tragically, can be fatal.”
Sam Waide, Chief Executive Officer, Road Safety Authority, said: “Christmas should be a time of joy, not loss. Our research has shown that over a third of drivers killed between 2016 and 2020 had a positive toxicology for alcohol. These decisions leave empty seats at family tables and communities devastated. I’m urging everyone: if you’re drinking or using drugs, don’t drive – ever. Plan your journey, use alternative transport, and look out for one another. Together, we can prevent tragedy on our roads this Christmas.”
*The RSA ‘Safety Performance Indicators 2025’ is an online survey that was conducted last month and comprised a nationally representative sample of 1,059 motorists aged 17+ who are regular drivers.Overall, the survey reveals a strong demand for stricter enforcement.
There is overwhelming support for increased penalties for drivers impaired by combined alcohol and drugs (86% support). Public backing is also strong for using technology for enforcement (71%), with more moderate, though still majority, support for educational alternatives to speeding penalties.
An analysis by An Garda Síochána of fatal, serious and non-serious injuries over the last five Christmas and New Year periods found that the risk of collision is at its highest between 3:00pm and 6:00pm.