Home News Drink driving increases in Laois as arrests surge

Drink driving increases in Laois as arrests surge

A garda was kicked in the eye at an incident at a checkpoint

Local gardai have sent out a warning that drink-drivers will be caught in Laois after it emerged that incidences rose in the last three month of 2016 with almost fifty arrests in that time.

At the Laois Joint Policing Committee meeting, Supt Joe Prendergast said drink-driving incidents rose by 30% for those final three months of the year, when compared to 2015 when there were 36 incidents.

“Some people are taking a chance and getting behind the wheel when they have drink taken. That is reflected in the extra people arrested,” he said.

In that time, road checkpoints increased dramatically and almost doubled, up from 276 in 2015 to 524 last year.

“There is a very good chance if you drink and drive, you are going to be caught,” Supt Prendergast said.