An Garda Síochána's annual Christmas clampdown on drink driving, Operation Lifesaver, will begin at midnight on Sunday and will run until January 9th.
People with "a reputation in their communities for coming home drunk" in their cars will be targeted in the nationwide campaign. Details of the campaign come as road deaths reached 336 so far this year, the same as for all of last year. Gardaí will mount checkpoints to detect drunken drivers as drink was a factor in 40 per cent of fatal road traffic accidents. Gardaí will also be ensuring motorists and their passengers are wearing seat belts. Speeding detections will also be a priority. The campaign will in large part be funded by the extra €4 million made available for Garda overtime to the end of the year.