Almost 50,000 drivers arrested for driving under the influence since 2021

Between January 2021 and June 2026, almost 50,000 drivers in Ireland were arrested for driving while intoxicated, An Garda Síochána has revealed.

As of yesterday morning, (28th July), 105 people have lost their lives in road traffic collisions in Ireland. Last year, 2025, saw the highest number of deaths on Irish roads in a decade.

This year’s figures are significantly higher (+13) compared to the same time last year.

During the first half of 2026, an average of one driver was arrested by An Garda Síochána every hour of every day for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. That’s over 4,600 arrests between 1st January and 30th June.

During the same time period this year, over 119,000 fixed charge notices were issued for speeding, over 14,500 for using a mobile phone while driving, and more than 3,000 for failing to wear a seatbelt.

Over 18,000 vehicles were seized by An Garda Síochána where the driver was found to have no insurance, no driving licence, no NCT/ CVRT or where they were an unaccompanied learner driver.

Research conducted by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) highlights that in 2026 (up to 26th July) over a quarter of all road fatalities were persons aged between 16 – 25 years old.

The RSA research further highlights that over 40 per cent of fatalities occurred at the weekend, on Saturday or Sunday. And over half of this year’s fatal road traffic collisions (57 per cent) occurred on roads with a speed limit of 80km/h or more.

In light of these figures, An Garda Síochána has commenced a roads policing operation ahead of the August bank holiday weekend targeting speeding, driving under the influence of an intoxicant, using a mobile phone while driving, and not wearing a seatbelt.

The operation began on Thursday morning, 30th July and will continue until next Tuesday morning, 4th August.