A 31 per cent increase in the number of people failing breath tests over the month of February in County Mayo, shows the battle against drink-driving is never ending. If St Patrick's Day revellers decide to drive drunk, they had better have more than the 'luck of the Irish' to cover the financial consequences of a drunk driving arrest. A campaign is being launched in Mayo which will tie into the Road Safety Authority’s message to “Never, ever, drink and drive”.
“Twenty-nine is an unacceptably high figure, and we are disappointed that so many people have risked their own and other people's safety by getting behind the wheel while over the limit,” said Noel Gibbons, road safety officer for Mayo County Council.
“Because St Patrick's Day is a notorious drinking holiday, we are launching an aggressive campaign to address drunk and other dangerous driving behaviour that puts our families at risk,” said Sergeant Joe McKenna, Castlebar Garda headquarters.
“Rest assured that in the coming year we will continue our efforts to educate motorists to the dangers of drink-driving, as well as enforcing the law. Everyone is being given ample warning that there will be zero tolerance for those caught getting behind the wheel after having too much to drink.”