Skip to main content

Ireland and Malta police drink-drive crackdowns

As part of Ireland's Operation Artery, police officers staged a number of Super 'Mandatory Alcohol Testing' (MAT) checkpoints in a crackdown on drink-driving in Dublin over the weekend of 11-12 January 2014. In addition to intoxicated driving, general road offences were also targeted, including use of seatbelts, vehicle lighting, tyre condition, driving licences, insurance and road tax. Four separate Super MAT one hour checkpoints occurred simultaneously between the hours of 11.30pm on the 11 January and
January 16, 2014 Read time: 2 mins
Irish police at work at a ‘Mandatory Alcohol Testing’ checkpoint during the recent Operation Artery weekend drink-drive crackdown in Dublin
As part of Ireland's Operation Artery, police officers staged a number of Super 'Mandatory Alcohol Testing' (MAT) checkpoints in a crackdown on drink-driving in Dublin over the weekend of 11-12 January 2014.

In addition to intoxicated driving, general road offences were also targeted, including use of seatbelts, vehicle lighting, tyre condition, driving licences, insurance and road tax.

Four separate Super MAT one hour checkpoints occurred simultaneously between the hours of 11.30pm on the 11 January and 12.30am on 12 January in various locations around Dublin. During these checkpoints a total of 888 vehicles went through. 302 people were breath tested and one arrest was made. There were also 10 general detections for Road Traffic Offences.

Assistant Commissioner John Twomey, Garda National Traffic Bureau, said: "I would like to thank motorists for their co-operation during these checkpoints, and, as the figures show, the vast majority of people tested were compliant with the legislation.

“I want to also send a very strong message to all drivers and remind them that members of An Garda Síochána are out in force every night and day, all around the country, targeting intoxicated driving and other key life saver road offences. Never ever drink and drive."

Traffic police officers in Malta were out early on Sunday 12 January 2014 to emphasise that drink-driving offences can be committed the morning after drinking.

Related Content

  • Workzones benefit from new mobile speed enforcement technology
    April 10, 2012
    A variety of new technology for temporary speed zones during major highway projects across the globe is about to hit the market, while other proven systems remain in demand. Guy Woodford reports. The D-Cam P is one of four new mobile speed reading products for temporary speed zones being launched this month by Truvelo. Deployable solely as a speed camera or at a red light intersection to monitor red light offences, the D-Cam P can also act as a speed camera on the green and amber light phases. The machine d
  • Distracted driving dangers in the US
    June 1, 2023
    Distracted driving and lack of seatbelt use pose dangers in the US.
  • US plan to target drunk driving
    January 9, 2014
    A new agreement in the US will help tackle the issue of drink driving using sophisticated in-car technologies. The US Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is extending its cooperative agreement with the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety (ACTS), which comprises 15 automakers. This agreement will see research continuing into advanced alcohol detection technology that could prevent vehicles from being driven by a drunk driver. “Drunk driving remains a deadly crime
  • FTA Ireland wants tougher roadside enforcement to match new traffic laws
    February 21, 2014
    FTA Ireland (FTAI) says it would like to see proposed new national traffic laws matched with an increased resource for roadside enforcement by the Gardai. The response from the FTAI follows the announcement of The Road Traffic No.2 Act 2013, (introduced to improve safety levels on Irish roads) outlined by minister for transport, tourism and sport Leo Varadkar. The new traffic laws will include roadside impairment tests for drug driving; higher penalty points for speeding, mobile phone use and not wearin