RSA Launches New Campaign to Combat Drug-Driving in Ireland
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has launched a new television-led advertising campaign addressing the serious issue of drug-driving on Irish roads. The campaign aims to highlight the severe consequences of driving under the influence of drugs, including loss of employment, restrictions on international travel and negative impacts on personal relationships.
Coinciding with the May Bank Holiday Road Safety Appeal, a joint initiative between the RSA and An Garda Síochána, the campaign urges drivers to slow down, avoid driving under the influence and keep mobile phones out of reach while driving. Gardaí will be increasing roadside enforcement throughout the bank holiday weekend.
The campaign specifically targets young people, with statistics showing that half of all drivers arrested on suspicion of drug-driving since January 2024 were under the age of 30. It seeks to correct misconceptions and raise awareness that even small quantities of drugs can severely impair a driver's ability to operate a vehicle safely.
Increasing Enforcement
Sean Canney, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, emphasised the severity of the issue:
"There is no excuse for driving under the influence of drugs. The consequences can be severe and irreversible. This campaign is an important reminder that drug-driving not only endangers lives but also carries serious legal, personal, and social repercussions."
The Medical Bureau of Road Safety (MBRS) reported receiving 4,348 specimens for drug analysis in 2024, representing a 12% increase from the previous year. In 73% of positive drug results, drivers were under 44 years of age and primarily male, with cannabis and cocaine being the most commonly detected substances.
Professor Denis Cusack, Director of the MBRS, noted that the bureau has significantly increased its supply of roadside drug testing devices to An Garda Síochána, from 20,000 devices in 2023 to a provision of up to 45,000 devices in 2025, marking a 225% increase.
Concerning Statistics
The campaign comes in response to concerning statistics:
- 3,230 drivers were arrested by An Garda Síochána on suspicion of drug-driving during 2024
- In the first quarter of 2025, 814 people were arrested on suspicion of drug-driving
- An average of 282 drivers have been arrested each month since January 2024
A 2024 national survey of 892 drivers in Ireland revealed significant gaps in awareness:
- 42% of drivers admitted to having little or no knowledge about drug-driving laws, with this lack of awareness highest among 18-24-year-olds
- Two-thirds of drivers believe it is unlikely they will be tested for drugs during a typical weekly journey
- 64% are unaware of new roadside drug testing capabilities
- Almost one in five young drivers (aged 18-24) know someone who has driven after taking illicit drugs
Multi-Platform Campaign
Sam Waide, chief executive of the RSA, described drug-driving as "a hidden but deadly threat on our roads" and emphasised that the campaign aims to foster "a zero-tolerance culture where drug-driving is deemed as totally unacceptable."
The campaign will be distributed across multiple platforms, including television, video on demand, radio, digital audio, social media, and out-of-home advertising in pubs and clubs throughout Ireland.
For more information about the campaign, visit the RSA website at https://www.rsa.ie/road-safety/campaigns/drug-driving.
