Shocking figures revealed as PSNI records hundreds of drink and drug driving arrests

PSNI Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson

A senior officer with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has renewed an urgent appeal to motorists to prioritise road safety, after new figures revealed hundreds of drink and drug driving arrests during the Christmas period.

Chief Superintendent Sam Donaldson issued the warning as data from the PSNI’s winter anti-drink and drug drive campaign highlighted the continuing scale of dangerous behaviour on Northern Ireland’s roads.

Hundreds arrested during festive crackdown

Preliminary figures released on Friday 23 January show that an average of nine arrests per day were made during the campaign, which ran from 1 December 2025 to 1 January 2026.

During that period, 288 arrests were initially recorded for drink or drug driving, compared with 300 arrests during last year’s campaign. Police said those figures were based on early operational returns.

However, final campaign totals now show that 312 people were arrested across Northern Ireland — representing an increase of nearly five per cent compared to the 298 arrests made during the 2024/25 festive operation.

Police confirmed that the youngest person arrested during the campaign was 17 years old, while the oldest was 81, underlining that the issue cuts across all age groups.

High alcohol readings and widespread testing

Across the campaign, officers carried out 6,382 preliminary breath tests (PBTs) — slightly up from 6,265 the previous year. Earlier estimates had put testing levels at around 5,200, with the final figures confirming a higher overall total.

Approximately 7.5 per cent of all tests resulted in either a fail or a failure to provide, indicating that despite repeated warnings, a significant number of motorists continued to take risks.

One of the highest alcohol readings recorded during the operation was 138 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath, almost four times the legal limit of 35µg/100ml. An earlier detection during the campaign peaked at 172µg/100ml, nearly five times over the limit.

Police also highlighted the expanded use of DrugWipe roadside testing, which contributed to increased detections for substances such as cannabis and cocaine, alongside traditional breathalyser testing for alcohol.

Speeding, seatbelts and mobile phone use

Drink and drug driving was not the only concern during the campaign.

Preliminary figures show that almost 5,700 excess speed offences were detected by the Road Safety Partnership and the PSNI. Officers also recorded:

• 35 offences for failing to wear a seatbelt

• 75 offences for using a mobile phone while driving

‘These are more than statistics’

Chief Superintendent Donaldson said the figures were deeply concerning, despite sustained public appeals and high-visibility policing throughout the festive period.

“When we launched our winter anti-drink and drug drive operation, we appealed directly to drivers not to take any risks by drinking or taking drugs and driving, and to pay particular attention to road safety,” he said.

“Despite our repeated appeals, and road safety efforts, the level of detections are shocking. All of these drivers made a conscious decision to drive in the way they did. Their selfish and reckless actions placed themselves, their passengers and all other road users in danger.”

In 2025, 56 people lost their lives on Northern Ireland’s roads. To date this year, four people have already died.

“These are more than statistics,” Chief Superintendent Donaldson added. “These deaths are catastrophic, devastating losses for loved ones left behind, for their friends and communities.”

“Our roads are busy places and all road users and motorists share the responsibility for road safety. Poor driving, bad decisions behind the wheel – it’s all preventable.”

A shared responsibility

Renewing his appeal, the senior officer urged drivers to reflect on the potential consequences of their actions before getting behind the wheel.

“My appeal to everyone is before you start your road journey, take a moment to think about the responsibility you have driving. Think about your safety, that of your passengers and of all other roads users.

“Slow down, stay off your phone when you’re driving, don’t get careless, always wear your seat belt and never drive after drinking alcohol or taking drugs.

“Driving requires 100 percent of your attention and focus, and all of us can and must pay particular attention to road safety to reduce the number of people injured and killed on our roads.”

Where arrests were highest

Belfast recorded the highest number of arrests, accounting for more than one fifth of all detections during the month-long operation, while Fermanagh and Omagh recorded the lowest.

Arrests by district (highest to lowest):

• Belfast City: 68

• Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon: 39

• Derry City & Strabane: 35

• Mid Ulster: 32

• Newry, Mourne & Down: 30

• Antrim & Newtownabbey: 24

• Ards & North Down: 22

• Lisburn & Castlereagh: 19

• Mid & East Antrim: 18

• Causeway Coast & Glens: 15

• Fermanagh & Omagh: 10

Police reiterated that drink and drug driving remains one of the so-called “Fatal Five” causes of serious and fatal road collisions in Northern Ireland.