Arrests for alleged drink-driving offences increased by nearly 17.5 per cent over the August bank holiday period compared to the same weekend last year, Garda figures show.
The Garda said a total of 384 drink-driving incidents were recorded between Friday August 3 rdand the following August 6 th(Monday) inclusive.
Over the same period last year, there were 327 arrests for such offences.
Provisional figures indicate that in the seven-day period from July 30 thto August 5 ththere were 366 drink-driving incidents throughout the State. This compares with 381 the previous week - a drop of 4 per cent.
Three people died on the roads over the bank holiday weekend, compared to five for the corresponding period in 2006, the Garda said in a statement.
"Garda enforcement activities in this area of road safety will continue to be prioritised," the statement added.