Four arrests for drink and drug driving in Kilkenny over bank holiday weekend

Four people were arrested on suspicion of drink or drug driving in Kilkenny over the bank holiday weekend.

Gardaí were out in force across the city and county carrying out checkpoints and patrols as part of a road safety campaign that took place over the June Bank Holiday weekend.

Divisional Roads Policing Inspector Paul Donohoe said that additional mandatory alcohol and drug testing checkpoints were carried out over the long weekend along with extra speed checks.

The inspector said that gardaí have a clear message for drivers.

"We are warning drivers not to speed and to stay away from their mobile phones when driving. Driver fatigue is also often a contributing factor in collisions so if people are tired they should not drive," he said.

The inspector also said that early morning checkpoints are commonplace.

"If you are out socialising and having a few drinks then be aware of that the following morning and do not drive if you think you might be under the influence," he said.

The inspector also warned that many drugs can stay in people's systems for two weeks and that drivers can test positive and receive a mandatory disqualification days after consuming an intoxicant.

The road safety campaign kicked off at 7am on Thursday morning and ended this morning (Tuesday) at 7am.