Hundreds Tested For Alcohol And Drugs In Kildare As Report Highlights Ongoing Role In Fatal Crashes

Monday, 8 December 2025 15:41

By Martin Osborne - Head Of News

Gardaí warn they’ll be targeting impaired drivers at checkpoints nationwide on the run-up to Christmas.

Drink and drug driving is still a major factor in road deaths.

The Medical Bureau of Road Safety's (MBRS) 2024 annual report says a 14-year-old was among those arrested for driving under the influence, while one driver tested more than eight times over the legal alcohol limit.

Last year, a total of 5,900 blood and urine specimens were sent to the Bureau for alcohol and/or drug testing, including 326 samples from Kildare.

Repeat offending remains a serious issue across the country, with 263 drivers arrested more than once in 2024 - up 8 per cent on the previous year.

The figures include drivers who tested positive for alcohol and/or drugs.

The figures come as Gardaí warn they’ll be targeting impaired drivers at checkpoints nationwide in the run-up to Christmas.

Professor Denis Cusack, Director of the MBRS, says stronger measures are needed to tackle this issue.

More from Local News

As Storm Bram Approaches, Kildare Council Warns Of Hazardous Conditions And Risk Of Fallen Trees

Met Éireann says Storm Bram will be a multi-hazard event, bringing strong winds and an increased risk of flooding.
Water Outage Planned For Parts Of Kill From 9pm Tomorrow Night

The outage is scheduled from 9pm on Tuesday, December 9th, until 5am on Wednesday, December 10th.
Kilcullen Driver Caught Speeding 159km/h In 80km/h Zone

The data comes as gardaí issued its first update on the national Christmas road-safety operation, which runs from 1 December to 5 January 2026
Maynooth's Paul Mescal Nominated For Golden Globe

He's up for Best Supporting Actor for his role as William Shakespeare in 'Hamnet'
End of An Era: Perry’s Supermarket In Athy To Shut Its Doors At The End Of This Month

Perry’s previously operated from two locations - on Duke Street and Leinster Street - before consolidating operations on Leinster Street in recent years.
Canal Side Homes In Athy Conservation Area May Be Replaced With New Builds, Council Says

Kildare County Council says a feasibility study has been carried out and submitted to the Planning Department, examining whether the existing buildings can be adapted for social housing or whether they should be replaced with new builds on the current footprint.
Ho Ho No: Environmentalists Write To Naas Councillors Urging Rejection Of Free Christmas Parking Plan

The group has written to Naas Municipal District members ahead of tomorrow’s meeting, urging them to reject a proposal to suspend pay parking from December 15th to 31st next year.
Deadline Tomorrow For Remote Working Views As Kildare TD Links Inflexibility To Traffic Congestion

The consultation is seeking views from workers, employers and other stakeholders on the rules introduced in March 2024, which require employers and employees to follow a Workplace Relations Commission code of practice when dealing with requests for remote or flexible working.