Four motorists arrested at intoxicant testing checkpoint

ROADS policing units from across Dublin came together to complete a large-scale mandatory intoxicant testing checkpoint on the Tallaght bypass, with multiple road users failing roadside tests on New Year’s Day.

The checkpoint, which was conducted on the morning of January 1, resulted in four motorists being arrested for failed roadside tests on the N81 (Tallaght Bypass).

Two of the road users failed the intoxicant test for alcohol, while the other two failed for drugs.

An Garda Síochána carried out a Christmas and New Year safety campaign throughout December.

This campaign was driven by data from the previous 12 years which indicated that this time period saw an increase of 55 percent in fatal and serious road traffic collisions.

Throughout 2022 up to December 30, 157 people lost their lives on Irish roads – and increase of 25 compared to the previous year.

There were also some 1,185 collisions causing serious injury that occurred.

Garda checkpoint on Tallaght bypass on New Year’s Day 2023 Photos An Garda Siochana

Over Christmas week (December 22 – 28), Gardai conducted 1,380 checkpoints and arrested 173 people for Driving Under the Influence, 24 of this number were arrested on suspicion of drug driving.

There were 29 seatbelt offences identified that week, 82 offences for use of a mobile phone while driving and there were 3,060 speeding offences.

Throughout the month of December, Gardaí conducted 5,500 checkpoints and there were 600 arrests for driving under the influence, 186 seatbelt offences and 727 mobile phone offences.

There was some 11,647 speeding offences and 4,124 collisions reported to authorities throughout the month.

Inspector Ross O’Doherty of the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau found the statistics “stark”.

Inspector O’Doherty reminded “those that may be intending to have a drink to make alternative arrangements to get home and to avoid driving the following morning also.”

It was highlighted that 76 people were arrested, nationwide, during their campaign between 6am and 2pm.

Inspector O’Doherty said: “Not everyone might realise the real dangers of driving the morning after but intoxicated driving at any hour of the day or night carries a high risk – a risk to the health and safety of you and other road users but also of losing your licence and being put off the road.”