Number of drink driving cases up 79%

Almost 28,000 suspected drink drivers were brought before the courts last year, it was revealed today.

Almost 28,000 suspected drink drivers were brought before the courts last year, it was revealed today.

Figures released by the Courts Service showed a massive 79% jump in cases dealt with in 2006, from 15,540 in 2005 to 27,836.

District judges put 804 motorists behind bars, while 11,652 drivers were disqualified and almost 11,000 fined.

A further 2,510 had charges withdrawn, struck out or dismissed.

The increase in cases coincided with the introduction of random breath testing for drivers.

More than 1,000 extra District Court sittings were also held to reduce waiting times, while drink driving cases were heard at special summer sittings in Dublin.

A Courts Service spokesman said there was an increase in three major areas of road traffic crime last year.

"The introduction of random breath testing and the automatic prosecution of fixed penalty charge defaulters contributed to a 12% increase in the number of road traffic cases disposed of, up from 198,412 in 2005 to 222,376 in 2006," he said.

Dangerous driving was 6,721, up from 4,448 in 2005, while unauthorised taking of a vehicle rose by 27% from 1,776 to 2,254 last year.

The majority of defendants were fined, while other penalties included disqualification, jail, community service and probation.

The Road Safety Authority said the data shows there is a greater chance of motorists who previously evaded detection being caught and being brought before the court quicker.

Official figures from An Garda Síochána show 237,871 motorists were detected for a range of offences in 2006.

Some of these arrests - which include 181,335 for speeding, 17,868 drink drivers, 26,687 for not wearing seatbelts, 6,171 using mobile phones, and 5,810 for dangerous driving - had not yet made it through the courts system.

Meanwhile, revellers driving to the Electric Picnic this weekend are being warned not to drive home the morning after a drinking session.

"The secret to sobering up is time," said Fionnuala Sheehan of MEAS, the alcohol social responsibility organisation behind drinkaware.ie.

"No amount of coffee, energy drinks, cold showers or even a full Irish will speed up the process. You might feel better but it doesn't mean you are fit to drive.

"Quite simply, if you think you will be drinking over the weekend, it is best to make alternative arrangements."

Throughout the entire Electric Picnic weekend, the Garda National Traffic Bureau will be operating traffic patrols and checkpoints around Stradbally on a 24 hours basis with the aim of detecting drink driving offences and speeding.

Noel Brett, of the Road Safety Authority, said the morning after is a danger zone for drink driving related death and injury on Irish roads.

"You really need to be aware that you may still be unsafe to drive the next morning," he said.

"After a heavy drinking session, it could take over 13 hours for alcohol to leave your system - that's lunchtime the next day.

"The impairing effects of alcohol in your body the morning after could also be doubled if you have not had enough sleep the night before."

A free Festival Survival Guide has been produced by drinkaware.ie for Electric Picnic fans. Written by DJ, radio presenter, travel writer and festival veteran Fionn Davenport, the handy pocket-sized guide will help music fans ensure their festival experience does not turn into a nightmare.

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