'Never, Ever Drink or Drug Drive'

The message this Christmas from the Donegal Road Safety Working Group is - Never, Ever Drink or Drug Drive. 

The message in the campaign is that drink driving destroys lives, families, and communities.

As the festive season approaches, stark warnings have been issued to road-users about the consequences of drink-driving.

The DRSWG is urging drivers to be aware of the affects that alcohol and drugs can have the morning after a night socialising.

The appeal is for motorists to drive responsibly over the Christmas and New Year period as alcohol and drugs continue to be a significant contributory factor in fatal collisions.

An Garda Siochana have launched their annual Christmas Drink Driving campaign which is supported by the Donegal Road Safety Working Group, as part of their ongoing road safety awareness programme.

Inspector Seamus McGonigle said: "The dangers associated with drink and drug driving are well documented and people should be aware that any amount of drugs or alcohol in your system will affect your driving.

"This Christmas and New Year, we are appealing to motorists to drive safely and under no circumstances drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. 148 people have lost their lives on the roads this year and members of An Garda Síochána have had to deliver this devastating news to their families. We don’t want to have to deliver this news to your family this Christmas”.

Brian O’Donnell, Donegal County Council Road Safety Officer said: ”I am urging all road users to act responsibly and not to drink or drug drive throughout the Christmas and New Year period. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs doesn’t happen by accident, it happens by choice, and those choices could have devastating consequences, never drive a vehicle when under the influence of drink or drugs.

"I would also appeal to passengers, not to take a lift from a driver who is not fit to drive, if you do, you are putting your life in the hands of a driver who has no respect for their life or your life.

"Just one drink impairs your driving – that is not an opinion, it is a fact. Christmas and the New Year is a time for enjoying family, friends and social events, one second, one wrong decision and it can change yours and everyone’s lives around you forever”.

In 2022 to date, 148 people have lost their lives on our roads, eight people have tragically lost their lives on Donegal roads to date in 2022. Those lives lost means that there will be 148 family members not at the table on Christmas Day. We all agree that number is much too high, and we must work together to keep each other safe. No family should have to suffer the loss of a loved one because of a road traffic collision, our thoughts and prayers are with the friends and family of everyone who have lost their lives.

The DRSWG would like to take this opportunity to wish all road users a Happy and Safe Christmas and New Year.