Gardaí Launch Christmas Road Safety Campaign Across Cork and Ireland

An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority have launched an intensive road traffic enforcement operation across Cork and Ireland this morning, targeting drink and drug drivers throughout the festive period.

The dedicated Christmas road safety campaign began at 7:00am today, Monday 1 December 2025, and will continue until 7:00am on Monday 5 January 2026. Every member of An Garda Síochána on duty will be conducting road traffic enforcement activity during this five-week period.

The campaign comes as 166 people have lost their lives in road traffic collisions on Irish roads so far this year. Gardaí warn that the Christmas and New Year period sees increased use of roads for recreational purposes, heightening the risk of fatal or serious injury collisions.

Increased Garda Presence on Cork Roads

Cork motorists can expect to see significantly more Gardaí on local roads, with an increased presence aimed at detecting drink and drug drivers. Officers will also be targeting key risk behaviours including speeding, mobile phone use whilst driving, and non-wearing of seat belts.

To date this year, An Garda Síochána has detected nearly 8,000 drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol and carried out over 93,000 checkpoints nationwide.

Alarming Survey Results

A new survey from the Road Safety Authority reveals concerning trends among Irish drivers. The research found that 12% of drivers admitted to driving 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 or restaurant, or at home, and then driving on a rural road, with a slightly higher likelihood of this occurring over a weekend.

A smaller but still significant 4% of drivers admitted to having driven after using illicit drugs over the past year.

An analysis of collision data over the past five Christmas periods found that the risk of collision is highest between 3:00pm and 6:00pm.

"We Will Intercept Drink and Drug Drivers"

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."

Public Support for Stricter Enforcement

The RSA survey, which questioned 1,059 motorists aged 17 and over last month, revealed overwhelming public support for stricter measures. Some 86% of respondents support increased penalties for drivers impaired by combined alcohol and drugs, whilst 71% back the use of technology for enforcement.

Cork motorists are reminded to plan ahead this Christmas, use public transport or taxis where possible, and never drive the morning after if alcohol or drugs remain in their system.