Don't Drink and Drive This St. Patrick's Weekend

Motorists across Ireland are being urged to plan ahead and never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs over the St. Patrick's Bank Holiday, as An Garda Síochána launches an enhanced enforcement campaign on the country's roads.

The appeal was issued today at the 2026 National Safer Roads Road Safety Conference and Exhibition in Killarney, by Minister of State Jerry Buttimer TD, the Road Safety Authority (RSA), and An Garda Síochána.

Gardaí will be carrying out a dedicated roads policing operation from 7am on Thursday, 12 March 2026 until 7am on Wednesday, 18 March 2026, targeting drink and drug driving as well as other dangerous behaviours.

The scale of the problem

The RSA's most recent Driver Attitudes and Behaviour Survey (2025) makes for sobering reading. More than one in ten drivers, 12%, admitted to driving after consuming alcohol in the previous 12 months. A quarter of motorists felt it was acceptable to drive a short distance locally after drinking, while 23% said there were times they may have been over the legal limit the morning after a night out.

International research shows that drivers with a Blood Alcohol Concentration between 50 and 80mg per 100ml of blood are between five and ten times more likely to be involved in a fatal collision. Analysis of coronial data by the RSA found that more than one third, 35%, of driver fatalities between 2016 and 2020, where a toxicology result was available, tested positive for alcohol.

One in four road deaths across Europe are estimated to be alcohol related.

32 lives lost on Irish roads already this year

This year to date, 32 people have tragically lost their lives in fatal road traffic collisions in Ireland. That figure is provisional and subject to change.

Provisional analysis of drivers arrested for driving under the influence in 2025 shows that 86% were male and 14% were female. Those aged 21 to 40 accounted for 58% of all arrests. Some 53% of arrests occurred between Friday and Sunday, and 63% took place between 6pm and 3am.

What the experts are saying

Jerry Buttimer TD, Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development, said:

"St. Patrick's Day is our national day of celebration. It is a time for us to come together to celebrate the best of Ireland and the best of our local communities. However, we must all take responsibility and behave properly on our roads. It is never acceptable to drink or take drugs, and drive. We cannot put others' lives, or our own lives at risk when driving."

Michael Rowland, Director of Research, Standards and Assurance at the RSA, said:

"St. Patrick's Day is a time for celebration, but alcohol and driving must never mix. Every year we see the devastating consequences when someone gets behind the wheel after drinking. We are urging everyone to plan ahead, leave the car at home if you are drinking, organise a lift, and make sure you and your friends get home safely. We also want to remind pedestrians and cyclists that travelling while under the influence of alcohol increases their risk on the road."

Assistant Commissioner Catharina Gunne, Roads Policing, An Garda Síochána, said:

"St Patrick's Weekend is a time of celebration, but it must not be a time of tragedy. Drink and drug driving remain among the leading causes of death and serious injury on Irish roads. Our message is simple: if you are under the influence of an intoxicant do not drive. The risk is never worth it."

Kerry County Council Road Safety Officer Declan Keogh said:

"Road safety plays a key part in all our daily lives, and in every local community. Road safety is everyone's responsibility, and we should all work together and protect each other."

Plan your journey now

Anyone intending to drink alcohol over the bank holiday weekend is advised to leave the car at home and arrange a safe way home in advance, whether that is a designated driver, a pre-booked taxi, public transport, or a lift from someone not drinking.

As an added incentive to stay alert on the road, the RSA has partnered with Applegreen to offer free coffee to drivers at participating service stations between 2pm and 8pm on Friday, 13 March and Wednesday, 18 March. Drivers simply need to mention "RSA" at the till to avail of the offer.