More than 1,000 drivers in Northern Ireland have been caught drunk behind the wheel inside a three month period, police revealed today.
The detection rate between April and June was up by a third compared to the same period for 2003.
With drink driving blamed for one in four fatalities, 102 people have been killed on the roads already this year.
Police disclosed that 1,032 drivers were detected for drink/drug driving over the three months - an increase of 362 on the same period last year.
Supt Ian Hamill said: "The vast majority of people here recognise that it is shameful and unacceptable behaviour and too often leaders to tragedy and loss in families."
During the same three month period, police said 1,973 drivers were detected for dangerous or careless driving, 6,510 for the non wearing of seat belts and 6,988 for speeding.