Gardaí caught almost 13,000 people driving while under the influence of alcohol last year, the National Safety Council (NSC) said today as it unveiled its Christmas anti-drink campaign.
Ninety-one per cent of blood and urine specimens certified by the Medical Bureau of Road Safety were over the legal limit and 58 per cent of blood and urine specimens were over twice the legal limit, the NSC said.
"Despite perceptions to the contrary our drink-driving problem has not diminished," NSC Chairman Mr Eddie Shaw said.
Alcohol is estimated to linked to at least 30 per cent of all road crashes in Ireland and 40 per cent of all fatal crashes. Over 150 people have died and hundreds more have been injured on Irish roads in the month of December over the past four years.
"During the next 33 days between 150 and 200 of our community will be killed or seriously injured on our roads. Alcohol will be a factor in 50 to 60 of these deaths or injuries," Mr Shaw added.
"These are not just numbers. They are grandparents, senior citizens, mothers, fathers, young adults, students and children. A small change in our behaviour will save lives - it is already happening. Please slow down, wear seatbelts, use appropriate safety restraints for young children, and never ever drink and drive," he said.
The Council will work in tandem with Garda activity over Christmas by airing the anti-drink driving TV commercial "Shame", which illustrates the tragic consequences of drink driving.